SUESD bond debated

A public forum regarding the Springville Union Elementary School District bond proposition known as Measure ‘O’ is scheduled for Oct. 27.

The debate, which will be moderated by former Porterville mayor Cameron Hamilton, will allow conversation between those in favor and those opposed to the measure which, if passed, would give $6,700,000 in taxpayer monies to the school district.

Supporters of the bond proposition are eager to pass it in November so the funds can be matched by state funds totaling $5,290,000.

“This is an all-or-nothing thing. If we do not pass the bond, we receive nothing from the state,” Tuttle said.

The matching funds are available as a result of a measure passed by California voters providing funds for qualifying schools for additions or remodeling.

According to a pamphlet mailed to Springville voters, the window for the state funds will close in October 2011.

“If we do not use the state matching money, [it] will be distributed to another qualifying school in our state,” board member Chris Ferrell wrote in a letter detailing the proposed improvements.

During a Monday night board meeting, the measure was lauded by board members, administrators and teachers who believe the addition of a multipurpose room and new classrooms, among other improvements, would greatly improve the school.

“I called every school in Tulare County like Springville and we’re the only one...that doesn’t have a cafeteria, auditorium or multipurpose room,” board member Paul Tuttle said.

Tuttle, who said he called all single-school districts in the county, said only two are without such a building — both of which have less than 40 students enrolled.

Springville has around 400 students attending the K-8 campus.

The largest expense in the bond measure, a new multipurpose room, would, if built, function as a combination cafeteria and assembly hall.

The building would also contain four classrooms and science laboratories.

It would cost $5,700,000.

Because the school has no cafeteria or cooking facilities, lunches are transported daily from Porterville. Students eat outdoors, or inside classrooms in the case of inclement weather.

Superintendent Connie Owens applauded SUESD teachers for their efforts during last week’s rainy days.

“I would like to thank the teachers for the scramble last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday when it rained and students had to eat in the classrooms,” she said.

Board member Dianne Shew asked teachers if they noticed a “difference in discipline” when the students ate indoors.

The assembled teachers nodded and sighed in affirmation.

Springville resident Vicki Matthews, who works as an instructional aide at Springville, said she thinks an increase in taxes is worth improving the school facilities.

She said when students eat indoors, the rooms are overcrowded and staff are forced to work during part of their mid-day break to ensure the rooms are properly supervised.

Competing “No on Measure O” and “Yes on Measure O” signs presently dot the Springville landscape. The banners in opposition say “No more taxes” while those in favor read “Support our students.”

If the measure is passed, residents will be taxed $68.38 per $100,000 of assessed property value, Tuttle said.

The debate, hosted by the Springville Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the Springville Veteran’s Memorial Building

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045 or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.