Published: September 17, 2008 10:26 pm      

Residents learn more prior to Nov. 4 school bond vote

Greenbrier County

LEWISBURG — Greenbrier County educators extolled the virtues of a $37.7 million school bond Wednesday which they say encompasses the infrastructure needs of the entire county and will ultimately “help all students for the next 40 years.”

In the second of two informational meetings this week — Monday’s was held in Rainelle — Superintendent John Curry presented a Power Point presentation to about 70 people at Lewisburg Elementary School. Both Rainelle and Lewisburg are slated for new elementary schools if the bond passes on Nov. 4, Curry said.

The Rainelle school would be located on property behind the current school with property purchased from the town of Rainelle for $200,000. The 49,000-square-foot facility would serve 240 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, he said, at a cost of $10.7 million.

Likewise, the Lewisburg school would be located on 19.6 acres in downtown Lewisburg purchased from the county commission at a cost of $785,000. At least $135,000 would also be set aside to hire prevention resource officers for schools in the county. The Lewisburg school would serve 500 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade and cost $17.2 million, Curry said.

Reflecting on the failed Lewisburg Elementary bond vote of 2006, Curry said this was the original site for the school. However, an agreement could not be reached at that time over purchase of the property. The site was moved to a location out of town, which many believe helped defeat the bond call.

“So we went back to the drawing board,” Curry said. “The journey over the past two years has been to involve a large number of people in reviewing the needs of the county, and this was unanimously approved by the board of education.”

Curry said the total cost of the proposed projects, which also includes major renovations to Greenbrier West High and Smoot Elementary schools and a new gym for Eastern Greenbrier Middle School, would be $49.9 million. Local funds would provide $1.5 million and a state School Board Authority matching grant of $10.6 million would be awarded for Greenbrier West High if the bond passes, Curry said.

In November, voters must determine if they wish to have their property taxes raised enough to cover the cost of the bond issue. The impact on individual taxpayers would vary, Curry said, but on average, many could assume their taxes could increase between $72 to $120 per year for those owning a Class II residential property worth $100,000. The proposed bond would be financed at 7 percent interest over the next 15 years.

Curry said estimates of the county’s total property values have steadily grown in the past six years to around $1 billion and this “pie of wealth” has an inverse relationship in regard to the school bond vote.

“As the county’s tax base grows, the amount paid by the individual taxpayers ultimately decreases in relation to the bonding debt,” Curry said, noting, however, that economic growth in the county has begun to level off from recent years.

If approved, homeowners would begin paying for the bond debt next July. Construction of the schools has been scheduled to begin concurrently and conclude in late 2010 or early 2011, he said.

The county’s current remaining bond capacity is about $65 million, Curry said, and two bonds already financed by taxpayers are set to be paid in full in 2012 and 2017.

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Principals from Lewisburg Elementary and Greenbrier West both spoke and outlined concerns for their aging schools. Both cited safety concerns as their top priorities, along with other problems. Principal Doug Clemons of Eastern Greenbrier Middle School also spoke in favor of the bond call.

“In one classroom if we want to operate an air conditioner, it will blow the fuse in another classroom,” Lewisburg Elementary principal Leann Piercy-McMillion said.

“It’s absolutely impossible to make Greenbrier West safe,” principal Randy Auvil said. “And we aren’t even handicapped-accessible. This is a comprehensive package that benefits everyone, so please go out and vote for it and get five of your friends to vote for it.”

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At least two residents queried Curry about the bond call, one asking what would become of the money if the construction bids came in lower than anticipated, adding, “I bet you will spend it all anyway.”

A Fairlea resident and pastor of a non-denominational church, Bill Garner, told Curry and the group they were spending too much money. Garner has seen 11 of his own children educated in Greenbrier County schools.

“Look at the economy that’s severely strained right now,” he said. “If you can’t afford to build the schools, then every three years your tax rate can be increased.”

One residents likened the situation to eliminating a monthly “pizza night” for some families in order to pay for the increase in taxes.

“Some people could also look at it as saving a tank of gas for their SUV,” she said.

The pragmatic Curry responded by telling the group that ultimately “the decision is a personal one.”

“Everyone will find something in this proposal they won’t like and all of the components may not be perfect,” he said. “But this has been a journey and involved a lot of work. By passing this bond, it will make an impact on our children for the next 40 years.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com