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Burlington-Edison
Email: VoteYesBEtheSolution@gmail.com
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Question of the week: Where can I drop off my ballot?
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Bond Questions The following are some of the bond related questions that we have received. We have posted links to the BE School District and School Board websites for documents for more detailed questions and answers. If anyone still has quesitons about the upcoming bond we recommend attending one of the several town hall meetings. What are the problems our district is facing? What would happen if the state took over our district? Are we trying to bring in other forms of revenue? Are we having a “true” investigation in to the land purchase? Is the Board going to take legal action against the appraiser? What are the plans for the Peterson/ Pulver property? Will a school ever be built on the Peterson /Pulver property? If the District sells property, how can the proceeds be used? Does the district own the property where the District Offices sits? Is there a breakdown of the non-voted debt? Can the District just not pay the non-voted debt? After this bond, when will the School District run the next bond?
Do you have a question that you would like to have answered? Please email us at we will do our best to answer your question and post it on this webpage for others to see.
What are the problems our district is facing?
Pass School Bond to pay off debt.
Ex.= $200,000 home = $38 per year
What would happen if the state took over our district? The non-voted debt obligation would still need to be paid. The state does not take
over, rather imposes “binding conditions” upon the point that the district must
include the following years receivables as revenue in order to balance its budget
(see RCW 28A.505.110). At that point, the binding restrictions would be monitored
by the state (up until this point in every situation the regional ESD has been charged
with this responsibility). Practically, what this means is the local community loses its
ability to make determinations of what will be reduced in order to operate the program—Basic Education requirements and debt obligations come first, all
Are we trying to bring in other forms of revenue? The B-ESD is constantly reviewing and researching grant opportunities. The B-ESD currently brings in approximately $80,000 from selling its SOAR (student online assessment resource) to other districts and is exploring expansion of this program. The B-ESD is also looking into the potential/legality of selling advertising boards/signs on sports field.
Is the Board going to take legal action against the appraiser? The Board is actively looking into legal options.
What are the plans for the Peterson/ Pulver property? This property, along with other School District-owned properties, will be included in a comprehensive Capital Projects Plan that considers future B-ESD needs.
Will a school ever be built on the Peterson /Pulver property? Based on legal opinion, non-agricultural use of the parcel would likely require the Legislature to amend the Growth Management Act. This would be a difficult path to pursue.
Why did the previous Board, in 2007, purchase the Peterson/Pulver property without a contingency clause? The Board relied on the District’s administration to provide thorough and reliable information. When the sellers made known they would not sell the property with a contingency clause, Superintendent Rick Jones recommended its removal and the Board accepted this recommendation. The decision to purchase the Peterson/Pulver property was based on many factors including appraisal report, the Burlington City Council Resolution supporting a school at that location, the application by the City of Burlington to Skagit County to expand its UGA that included the Peterson/Pulver property, and the understanding of the legal responsibility of cities and counties to work together to site schools.
What steps is the Board taking to prevent the errors that occurred in Peterson/Pulver property acquisition from transpiring in the future? The Board is developing a policy that will provide the Superintendant guidance to develop procedures and professional resources to ensure maximum protection to the District in future land acquisitions. The policy shall include guidance that provides professional review and research regarding issues related to zoning, municipalities’ and county government comprehensive plans, Growth Management policies, floodplain, property infrastructure and market value that assures the property is suitable for the intended use.
If the District sells property, how can the proceeds be used? Proceeds from selling property can be used for the acquisition of land or existing facilities, construction of buildings, purchase of equipment, conducting energy audits, making capital improvements, which are cost effective as determined by energy audits, and implementing technology systems. In addition, improvements to buildings and/or grounds, remodeling of buildings, and the replacement of roofs, carpets, and service systems are included in the Capital Projects Fund. They can also be used to retire a bond. Proceeds may not be used for general fund expenditures.
Are we having a “true” investigation in to the land purchase? At the B-ESD’s request, the land purchase and related non-voted debt obligations were reviewed by the State Auditor’s Office and Attorney General’s Office. Each determined there were no statutory or constitutional violations. There are no findings related to the purchase. The formal audit report should be issued within the next few months.
Does the district own the property where the District Offices sit? Yes, the B-ESD Office property is owned by the B-ESD; the Carnegie Library is leased from the city (houses Preschool) for less than $100 per year What steps is the Board taking to ensure non-voted debt obligations are not easily incurred in the future? The Board has adopted a policy based on Representative Quall’s legislative bill to address this issue.
Can the District just not pay the non-voted debt? The District is legally responsible to pay the debt. Bonds were sold. The District cannot default.
After this bond, when will the School District run the next bond? The next bond request to the voters will not occur until after a comprehensive Capital Projects Plan, considering future B-ESD needs, is completed. The Board does not have plans to run another bond before the renewal of the Maintenance and Operations Levy in 2012.
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Listen to our High School student's radio spots for KAPS.
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New Superintendant 