Missoula School Bond Issue – For and Against [YouTube]
Missoula voters will learn the fate of the MCPS combined bond issue on Tuesday night after the polls close at 8:00 p.m.
KGVO News spoke with MCPS Superintendent Mark Thane to explain the need for the combined bond issue requests totaling $158 million.
"On the elementary side the request is $88 million," Thane said. "That money will deal with deferred maintenance items, technology and capacity issues. That would have an impact of about $12 a month or $144 a year on a home worth approximately $200,000. In the high school district the request is $70 million for deferred maintenance, technology and capacity. That request would cost the taxpayer with an assessed property value of $200,000 about six dollars a month."
Harlan Wells is a candidate for Missoula City Council Ward Two. He has a differing view about the amount of funding necessary for the school districts.
"It's not the bond I'm against, it's the amount of the bond," Wells said. "If it were to fail, I would be happy to champion it next year with a much smaller amount. If we could pull out the safety and technology issues, then I would support it. But, the $158 million dollars which works out to be about a 9.1 percent increase in property taxes if you're subject to both, is just too much."
All mail in ballots must be turned in by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.