(Atlantic) Three measures on the November ballot would finance the Atlantic Community Schools.
The bond issue highlighted Sunday’s Meredith Communications Meet Your Candidate’s Forum. There are three measures on the ballot. This article focuses on the $22.5 million general obligation bond to fund improvement and expansion projects at Washington Elementary, Schuler Elementary, Atlantic Middle School, and Atlantic High School.
Incumbent School Board Member Josh McLaren stated the board has been planning this project for quite some time with various entities. McLaren says they assessed the needs, safety, and educational environment. He says that is why the board has made the decision it has regarding the bond issue.
School Board Candidate Jordan Zarbano says the ultimate elephant in the room is Washington. He says anyone who has walked through the school will see that the improvements are a necessity.
School Board Candidate Chet Meneely says he is in favor of the $22.5 million bond to finance the improvement and expansion of the district’s four learning centers. Meneely stated the school board has done their job and prioritized the needs of these four learning centers.
The School Board Candidate Justin Williams answered the question with a different perspective. Williams stated that he is in favor of all the improvements at Washington Elementary. He noted that the district currently has roughly three million dollars in SAVE and PPELL funds that would cover the security portion of the project today.
Williams mentioned the restrooms and security projects at Schuler could also be funded by SAVE and PELL.
We will continue our series with the school candidates discussing their stance on the $18.5 million tax revenue bond to finance the construction of a new multipurpose activity center. And the Revenue Purpose Statement, which all four candidates agreed on, is a must to pass.
