Othello bonds discussed Tuesday

State offers $35.3 million in matching funds

OTHELLO — A community forum on the Othello School District bonds proposal is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Hiawatha Elementary School.

The proposal of $28.6 million goes to voters March 13. If approved, the state would provide matching funds of $35.3 million.

"I think it's an amazing opportunity," said Shelley Olsen, one of three committee chairs. "Our schools are really old and overcrowded."

A new wing would be added with the funds to McFarland Junior High School to make way for a traditional middle school system. New classrooms would be added to the elementary schools, including seven classrooms at Scootney Springs Elementary School and four classrooms at the other elementary schools.

Olsen noted the district has 21 portables at the elementary schools, holding more than 500 students. At some elementary schools, all sixth grade students and some fifth grade students are in portables, she said.

"Essentially, we have a school's worth of children in portable housing," she said.

Other projects included in the proposal are a modernization of McFarland Junior High School and the elementary schools. Othello High School would be reconfigured for additional classroom space, and a multipurpose room would be added.

Co-chair Brad Boersma said the total proposed additional space in the district is 50,000 square-feet, the equivalent of an elementary school.

"For every 45 cents that the community has to put in, the state will give us back 55 cents," Boersma said.

Interest rates are at a 30-year low, he added.

Boersma said construction of the last elementary school built in the district started in 1969, and the school was occupied in the 1970s. About 630 students are in each elementary school, when they were built to hold little more than 300, he said.

Executive Director of Operations and Finance Gina Bullis said residents currently pay $3.73 per $1,000 in assessed property value for current bonds and a maintenance and operations levy.

The estimated collection rate for 2008 is $5.55, including $1.82 per $1,000 in assessed property value with a bonds sale.

Public forums offer an opportunity for the public to obtain information about the proposal and ask questions, Olsen said.

The forum is in the school library at 506 North 7th Ave. in Othello.