School expansion clearly is needed

Regarding the Daily Herald's Oct. 11 article "Renovate Grant High or pay less in taxes," I am writing to correct your choice of the word "renovate." It severely downplays the scope of the expansion work necessary to accommodate the school's enrollment growth.

The facility will be expanded (not just "renovated") by 111,400 square feet to accommodate the growth that will occur by 2014. Demographic studies forecast an increase from the current 1,745 students to 2,300 by that time.

The school has been following a cautious expansion plan to address the growth. An addition in 2000 was followed by another in 2005, bringing the facility to its current capacity of 1,750. The 2005 addition was for classrooms and a new library resource center, built by impact fees with no tax-rate increase.

Through wise financial planning, the school is proposing for the next addition to be constructed without raising the tax rate.

If this referendum proposal (slated for Feb. 5) does not pass in 2008, the property tax bill on a $200,000 house would decrease by $132 per year. Your paper stated that "taxes would drop by $150 annually," but did not tie that figure to any property value.

Even if the referendum proposal does not pass in 2008, the enrollment growth will continue, triggering future referendums. As a result, the taxpayers will pay a far higher price than the one currently being proposed with no tax-rate increase.

Jim Schnoor

chairperson

Grant Citizens

Helping Students

Ingleside