Cheney Schools should look at alternatives

As one of the “Uninformed” voters who live on the West Plains and north of Fairchild Air Force Base, I was one of the ones who voted no on the Cheney School District’s last bond issue. This was not because I don’t support schools or children’s learning, but more about living within a budget.

According to my property tax statement for this year I paid $2,087.98. Out of that, $814.47 or 39 percent of all taxes raised goes to schools. Over the last few years, Cheney School District has come to the voters to approve a $79 million dollar Bond Issue to build two new middle schools and now $44 million for the high school. It’s about time that the Cheney School District starts to live within their budget.

I support Mr. John’s recommendations for upgrades at a lower cost ($11 million). Or better yet, how about building a second high school in the Airway Heights/West Plains area? 

Will they come to the voters again when the McCleary decision forces them to add even more classrooms in the future with no way of funding them? 

I may be “Uninformed and Stupid” but I will still vote no again.  

Gerald J. Goertz

Medical Lake