This month’s edition of the Wayland Union Schools newsletter, “The Green & White,” includes a brief description of plans other than building a new swim pool with the $49.7 million bond request.

A special election will be held Tuesday, May 2, at polling places district wide, and too many have believed falsely that the request is only for a new pool. Though the pool is the biggest piece of the request financially, building improvements and repairs are planned for all buildings.

Patricia Velie, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, continues to promise that approval of the millage will not result in an increase of current taxes, but instead will lengthen the payment period. The annual millage rate will remain at 8.4.

School officials insist, “This proposal seeks to extend the life of our buildings and to ensure our schools can continue to serve our community and students well into the future.”

Secure, Safe and Dry

The scheduled improvements, if the bond is approved, include:

• New exterior doors at many locations

• A retrofit of Pine Street Elementary classroom doors with security glass.

• Install security film on windows.

Student Achievement and Instruction

• New band and orchestra space at the high school to meet the needs of a growing program, including more storage space and practice rooms, and acoustics for safer sound levels (using the site of the former pool).

• Choral space to met the needs another growing program, new acoustics for safer sound levels (using the site of the old band room).

•New space for Robotics at the high school (upgrading CTE area to add this programming).

• Upgrade career tech opportunities with improved areas for auto and woodshop areas and computer aided drafting (CAD).

•Enhance original wrestling mat room to accommodate additional programming, including youth wrestling, cheer, color guard and Community Education classes.

Community/District Use and Engagement

• Upgraded Community Room for Leisure Life use, Community Education classes and meeting space for district use (expansion of the administration office).

• The community pool for all ages, from babies through senior citizens, featuring a sloping entrance for easy access into the water. Programing will be inclusive of a variety of programs, including lessons for students, exercise classes for senior citizens, summer swim lessons. school swim program and open swim 

Building Capital Projects

  • Middle School roof and windows replacement for 30-year-old units. Elementary building enhancements, security, handicap accessible bathroom floor, upgrades in technology, furniture and flooring needs.

9 Comments

Mike
February 20, 2023
They know a pool can't stand as it's own issue or they wouldn't continue to talk about how it's about more than just a pool. It would never stand as it's own bond proposal.
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John Wilkens
February 20, 2023
Mike, You are 100% correct. We have voted on this same issue several times with the same outcome. These folks, Reeves and the WUS board do not understand what NO means. Essentially they are showing us the middle finger and saying we know what we want and will continue to bring this to the voter until they bend and say yes. Reeves was smart enough to wait until the spring to run this request as a special election when the average turnout is low. Certainly not take a chance at the last general election when the majority of his constituents vote. We are facing record inflation and people are tapped. Why not split the millage request 1-Pool 2- building needs? I could almost guarantee the building needs would pass and not only pass but would easily pass. The pool,,,,,,,,,not so easy. I realize it's free money, check that, no increase except for adding many years to the debt. I can only wonder if these folks run their own finances this way..... Just a thought! Cheers!!
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Erin Stepek
February 22, 2023
Schools can't run finances like private citizens can. We can save up to pay for a large home cost if the need is there. Schools are not permitted to stockpile large amounts of savings--they are tasked, rightfully, in spending school funding dollars on the students--on instruction and day-to-day operations. Bond issues exist as the vehicle to fund large infrastructure projects for schools and the school is showing good stewardship by timing the bond to the needs of the district. Kicking the can down the road only increases the costs. Not to mention, shuttering a crumbling pool would be a backwards step for the community and contribute to a decrease of our home values. Families look to buy in a district with updated, modern facilities-- especially when the surrounding districts already have comparable or better structures. Do we really want the children of our community to have LESS opportunity than then students of 50 years ago? Let's focus on moving forward as a district, not back. I am voting yes on this bond. Our kids and community are worth it.
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Patricia Velie
February 22, 2023
Erin - Absolutely spot on! This Bond request is a zero change to the current Debt Mills of 8.40. Yes, it is new debt. Yes, it does require 25 yrs and 10 mo. to pay for it. Voting for this Bond will not be the reason you see a change in taxes, you are not voting in additional mills, but using the increased taxable values (homes added, homes sold for much more than previous values), that are the basis for the revenue that will pay for this Bond issue. As a private citizen, I do not have children in the district, but I want what is best for all of our children and grandchildren. No increase in my taxes seems like a smart way to use funds available to ensure all children have what they need to succeed in today's ever changing world. Yes, that includes safe music spaces, STEM space, CAD space, shop spaces, Community meeting space, infrastructure, and YES! a pool. My kids learned to swim (both for fun, safety, and competition) at WUS, and other children should have that opportunity. Pat Velie
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John Wilkens
February 22, 2023
Pat, What are chances that the 25 year 10 month increase will be included on the support the millage fact sheets given to potential WUS District voters? Or will it say no increase like it did in the last election? We certainly want to be truthful to your constituents........Right? Cheers!!
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Patricia Velie
February 23, 2023
Hello! WUS is just wrapping up that information for public consumption. There is a very good slide in response to your question. If you feel something is missing, as transparency is important to all of us, please just ask me for more information. finance@waylandunion.org. The site is getting updates all day today and the slides you are interested in should be set to go live later today. https://waylandunion.org/district/bond-2023/ Thank you. Pat Velie
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Erin Stepek
February 23, 2023
It sounds like you are implying that "no increase" is a lie? Having a debt extended and having no increase on the amount of taxes paid are not the same things. The communication from the district about this during the summer was very clear to me at least. My tax bill will not go up on account of this bond. And it still won't.
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John Wilkens
February 23, 2023
Erin, Please don't miss the point. Absolutely no lies at all, none. Giving the average voter ALL the information, maybe not. It's a great talking point "No Increase." If you look at the fact sheet they handed out in the last election, it certainly talks about no increase, however, never once mentioned 25 years added to the debt. Hmmmmmm... Three questions for you...... 1- Is 25 years and 10 month's an increase? 2- If the district borrows 50 million dollars, does our debt load increase, decrease or stay the same? 3- If you refinance your house, and say you want to build a pool. You borrow say 50,000 dollars and your trusted banker says we can give you the same interest rate and extend your terms to 20 years and your payment even goes down. Would you call this a decrease? Cheers!
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John Wilkens
February 23, 2023
Typo on the third question, my bad.
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