SOCSD presents info on ballot prop to sell Big Park school6 min read
“I’m still getting to know people and really understanding the culture and the history here,” Superintendent Tom Swaninger said. “One of the first things that I really came to realize is the emotional connection that many people of this community have to this property. This is not just a 20-acre lot to people who live around here, this is something that is meaningful, and I wanted to pay that respect with this process.”
After short statements by SOCSD administrators, attendees’ submitted written questions were answered by board members and Swaninger.
“We’re trying to avoid the need for a request for a bond within the next few years. We do have a need for some type of capital to come in to address issues of two aging campuses, an aging bus fleet, security measures,” Swaninger said. “But if we have something like Big Park … it could be that we will not have to request a bond from the taxpayers, if we have an influx of capital from the selling of the property.”
“I would say, imagine that the vote doesn’t go through, then we’re faced with some really tough choices, because this building will continue to deteriorate,” Governing Board Vice President Lauren Robinson said. “We worry about the library being able to be open. I saw them fixing the air conditioning at one point. We then begin to have to start making tough choices, and so do we increase our class sizes and reduce staff to keep this building functioning, or do we shut the whole building down and let it continue to deteriorate so we can provide educational opportunities for our kids?”
https://www.redrocknews.com/2024/10/07/socsd-presents-info-on-ballot-prop-to-sell-big-park-school/