New Schools Referendum Vote is November 4th. How Will You vote?

I recently had the opportunity at a Quincy Exchange Club meeting to hear Quincy School Board member Jeff Mays and Todd Moore of Architechnics present their case for the passage of the November $89 million school referendum to build new facilities.

Basically, the option is: pass the new referendum or District 172 will need to spend $66 for repairs and upgrading of the current facilities. The analogy made by Mr. Mays was like the decision we all make on our cars. Should we fix it again or purchase a new vehicle?

According to Mr. Mays, the School District has taken the debt down aggressively to make voting for the referendum on November 4 a very reasonable option. Mays also said that the debt has been reduced by $29 million and the current tax rate of 4.13% will not go up with the passage of this referendum.

Mr. Moore explained that the plan for these new facilities was put together by a collaborative effort of Architechnics, Klingner and Associates and Poepping-Stone- Bach & Associates. The plan includes moving 6^th graders to the Junior High School, and 9^th graders to the Senior High School. Plus it will better suit the needs of Special Ed students.

It will make all buildings ADA compliant and reduce the transportation costs involved with transporting students to school. This plan would also reduce the total amount of buildings from 8 to 5 and all five buildings will be more energy efficient and should have a life expectancy of 100 years.

So with the election less than two weeks away, how will you vote?