[EVSD News] Superintendent's Newsletter 12/12/08

[Jodi Brown]

December 12, 2009
 
The purpose of this newsletter is to update you on events that are
happening in the district, provide information to address issues or
rumors and provide you a forum to communicate with me on items of
interest. If you are receiving this e-mail you are either an East Valley
Staff member, you have signed up for this service, you have sent me an
e-mail or have had some form of contact that we think would cause you to
want this information. If you do not want to continue to receive this
information you may unsubscribe by clicking the link below or contacting
the district office.  
 
I hope all of you had an outstanding Thanksgiving break and I hope you
are preparing and looking forward to a celebration of family or faith
over the next couple of weeks.  As winter closes it grip on the valley
the schools remain hubs of activity.  It seems there is an activity of
some sort in every building almost every night. Weekends are also
extremely busy times for our schools as various community groups meet to
build fellowship. One of the true fringe benefits of being an educator
is the privilege of working with youth at this time of year.  
 
The excitement, mystery and tradition that surrounds this time of year
is fun to watch. As exciting and renewing as the wonder of the children,
is the generosity that is demonstrated by our staff and students. All of
our buildings are engaged in projects that put service to others above
self. Food drives, blanket drives and campaigns to help those who are
sick are but a few examples of the ways that our students, through their
families and our generous community patrons, share what they have with
those less fortunate.  
 
Student centered activities abound. Winter sports are well underway.
Basketball and wrestling events offer opportunities to share fellowship
on these long and cold evenings. The winter programs are in full swing.
I have been able to attend programs at most of the elementary schools
and while I never tire of watching the enthusiasm of our performers,  it
is the pride on the faces of our parents and teachers that truly allows
me to endure what sometimes seems to be a continuous chorus of “Jingle
Bells”.   
 
Our last day of school before the break will be December 19th. While I
am looking forward to some time to catch up on work I have fallen behind
on, I am also a little nervous about how quickly the year is moving. One
of the primary reasons for my concern that things are moving so quickly
is the need to conduct an education campaign around our bond and levy. 

 
By February 3, 2009 voters will have returned ballots to decide two
issues in the East Valley School District. The first issue to be
determined is the replacement Maintenance & Operations levy. This levy,
which will run for three years, provides many of the services our school
patrons have deemed necessary to support the educational programs they
desire.    
 
The new levy is projected to cost voters $3.15 per $1000 of assessed
value. For the first time in East Valley School District history, this
levy seeks authority to collect funds that have previously been
guaranteed by the state. The levy rate reflects the concern the state
will take an unprecedented action and not fund what it has previously
recognized as an obligation.  If the state does fund an effort to tax
payer burden through equalization, the levy rate $1000 of assessed value
will be less than $3.15.     
 
Also on the ballot will be a bond issue. The bond issue will be very
similar to the issue that was on the ballot last spring. Even though the
bond issue last spring received a majority of voter approval (about 57%)
it failed to garner the 60% needed for passage. 
 
The bond issue, proposition 2, will ask voters to make major
renovations to both middle schools. It will seek to replace roofs,
heating and ventilation systems, flooring and upgrade electrical systems
at all elementary schools.  The bond will upgrade technology, safety and
security throughout the district. It will also retire debt that was
incurred to complete an energy upgrade a couple of years ago.     
 
The projected cost of this bond will be .89 cents per $1000 of assessed
value. If approved the district would have the authority to sell up to
$34.5 million of bonds to complete the projects. The state would also
contribute about $19.3 million in matching funds.   
 
The board has worked long and hard to put the bond and levy plans
together. They are particularly sensitive to the challenges that the
current economy poses for our tax payers and understand that they are
asking a lot of patrons. Before finalizing this course of action the
board conducted a survey of voter sentiment. Over 80% of the voters
surveyed had a favorable reaction to the projects listed in the bond
proposal. Likewise, over 80% of the survey respondents were favorable to
supporting a bond that carried a tax rate of about .89 cents per $1000
of assessed value.   
 
This is a great school district. We have dedicated people who both work
and live in the area. Our kids are competitive in academics and sports.
We are graduating students who have solid skills to not only be
productive citizens but to also be leaders. I am proud to be a part of
this learning community and hope that you will contact me if you have
ideas about how we can continue to improve. 
 
 You can call me at the district office at 924-1830 or my home at
868-0087.  You may also contact me via e-mail GlenewinkelJ at evsd.org.  I
hope each of you is having as much fun as I am having. It is a privilege
to be part of this learning organization.    
 
John
 
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