Student analysis on the Ritzville School District bond

The Special Election of Feb. 14 will feature the Ritzville School District Bond. The bond seeks to issue no more than $11 million of general obligation bonds, maturing within 15 years and levying property taxes an estimated $2.81 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Should the bond pass with a 60 percent plus one majority, the bonds would combine with $4.7 million of state matching funds to “modernize Lind-Ritzville High School”, including measures to improve safety and security, repairs to increase efficiency, and provisions to facilitate teaching and learning.

Ritzville School District’s previous bond from last year’s special election included an auxiliary gymnasium and received 55 percent of votes. This year’s bond does not include plans for an auxiliary gym.

Those interested in obtaining more facts about the bond and its subsequent upgrades are encouraged to contact Superintendent Matthew Ellis at [email protected].

The most recent renovations to Lind-Ritzville High School happened in 2003, in which minor improvements added new carpet, tile and paint.

If the bond passes, basic renovations would begin in 2017 with the major renovations in 2018.

When asked for an objective analysis of the current conditions at LRHS, Ritzville School District Business Manager Dana Telecky reported, “The physical building condition is poor and technology is fair. The building is in need of major electrical and plumbing upgrades as well as the heating issues and windows… The building is in general just needing improvements.”

Telecky continued, “The district uses maintenance contracts for our heating so we can keep up with general maintenance and for technology the district does okay, but our infrastructure is in need of updating to keep up with today’s [ever] changing technology.”

The current conditions and proposed changes can be restated in many different ways to inform voters. However, new insight into the potential effects of the bond can be gained from hearing a different perspective: that of the students.

The renovations from the bond would directly impact the student body.

Kierstin Witt predicted, “My learning experience would be improved by the bond because our learning environment would be improved. Instead of focusing on being warm in class we would be able to focus on being productive.”

Lacey Miller agreed that should the bond pass, “students will be able to focus more.”

“We don’t have the tools that we need, and we’re falling behind the bigger schools,” Miller said. “We don’t have the facilities that other schools have. Our teachers are having to work around it.”

To voters, the term “modernization” may suggest that the proposed renovations are classified as wants rather than needs. However, to many, the proposed modernizations are necessary improvements.

Telecky explained, “In my opinion the modernization is a need… The learning environments are not great when the building is too cold or hot and it is just like a home after 30 years: you need to put roofs, windows, doors, exterior updates, paint.”

Similarly, Witt said, “The things on the bond are things we need. Our school in a lot of ways is not up to par with standards, and the bond’s purpose is to improve that.”

Senior Tessa Jantz will not walk the renovated halls of LRHS should the bond be passed, but she stresses the importance of the renovations for future generations of students: “Without modernizing the high school, the building will begin to become even worse... The building needs a remodel; it’s time to give back to the kids who do so much for the community of Ritzville.”

“Overall,” Miller added, the bond would “make us a more efficient school.”

The Special Election on Feb. 14 offers voters the opportunity to impact the learning environment of LRHS students.

While renovations are not without cost, an investment in education is one that will prove its worth for years to come.