Othello School Board discusses capital levy

OTHELLO — Participants on a community committee recommended the Othello School District go ahead with a study of a possible capital levy. A capital levy would be offered to voters at a date to be determined if the Othello School Board decides to proceed. The committee presented its report at Monday’s school board meeting. Its members mostly considered sports facilities, but “we looked beyond just (an) athletic complex,” said Craig Simpson, who delivered the committee’s report. The committee was asked to rank possible projects in order of priority, but “we did not rank them in any one way. We believe that they’re all needs that need to be addressed,” Simpson said. Committee members suggested board members and district officials should think about other options for any development, such as an auditorium for performing arts space and a gym. Possible projects considered by the committee included site preparation for athletic fields and a school building, one or two football fields, one or two soccer fields, two baseball fields, four softball fields, a track and an indoor pool. The board established a limit of $5 million to $7.5 million over two to three years, but Simpson said the committee thought board members and district officials might want to ask for more than that, considering all the possible projects. “There needs to be a vision for how we’re going to develop all the facilities that are associated with a new school,” Simpson said. “A master plan, if you will.” The plan should include potential for expansion, he said. In answer to a question from board member Tony Ashton, Simpson said the committee talked briefly about whether or not district patrons would approve it. That was one reason the committee suggested projects beyond athletics, he said. In addition, a school is going to be expensive, irrespective of when and where it’s built, Simpson said. “Try to get as much done with the capital levy as possible to be able to maximize your bond,” he said. Board member Stewart Hilmes said the district does need to develop a master plan, not just for an activities complex but for possible school expansion. Board members had discussed offering a capital levy sometime in the spring, but board member Rob Simmons said he would prefer to wait until the board has a clearer picture of the district’s needs, and where a capital levy would fit in with a possible construction bond. District officials sponsored a meeting Jan. 30 to talk about the possibility of expansion, possibly a new high school, possibly some other combination of buildings or programs. District superintendent Chris Hurst said about 50 percent of the people attending the meeting indicated a preference for a new high school. Committees are being set up to research the options for a new high school and possible designs. Meetings are scheduled for March 7, 23 and 28, April 11 and 25, and May 9 and 25. The goal is to make a recommendation to the school board on a construction bond by June.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.