Vote based on the facts

To the Editor,

     Hello all.

     I am writing one last Letter to the Editor because I want to remind you of the facts related to the upcoming school facility election on Sept. 11, 2018. I know as we get closer to Election Day there may be some last minute criticism of the plan, the cost, and the people who made the plan. Please remember to not get caught up in the last minute antics or emotions.

     The facts are still the same as they have always been.

     We formed a Facility Committee in July of 2017 to come up with the best solution for the future of our school facilities. These committee members were selected by the school board to represent a cross section of the Monticello community. We hired OPN to supply the committee with facts and data to help the committee make a final decision about school facilities. OPN was most concerned with hearing what this community wanted in regards to school facilities. The Facility Committee reached a decision to build a 5-8-grade building attached to the high school. The Facility Committee reached this decision after reviewing many different options and considering several factors.

     This became the first phase in a three-phase plan to improve the school facilities in the Monticello Community School District, which will begin in 2018 and continue through 2029. The first phase of the plan will focus on the largest need of the district, the students at the middle school. The three-phase plan was approved by the school board and in addition the school board has committed the SAVE (penny sales tax) money to this project in the amount of $7 million, which brought the amount requested of the community through a General Obligation Bond down to $15 million. This amount would raise taxes $2.75 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. This decision was carefully considered and selected because of the educational benefits for our students and because it was the most fiscally responsible plan for our community.

     When you show up to vote on Sept. 11, please remember to make your decision based on the facts and not rumor or last minute emotions. If you need more information, or have questions, please come to the Community Meeting to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Or feel free to visit our school district website (www.monticello.k12.ia.us/) where we have information and videos to help keep the facts clear for everyone.

     Most of all, just remember to vote!!!

Dr. Brian Jaeger

Superintendent

Monticello Community School District