Recently, Superintendent Dr. Clark toured the attics and basements of all of the schools (MacHi, Grove, Ferndale, Freewater, and Central) to analyze the facilities’ needs. He realized that the needs of the five different schools will vary, from staff to students to the public. All of our buildings are old, that’s the biggest thing he noticed. “There is no point to rehash the past, we need to move forward,” Dr. Clark said during a meeting on September 22 , referring to previous bond failures. The last payment for the most recent remodel will be paid off next June (this remodel lowered the cafeteria ceiling to fix the math classrooms, and made general repairs in the Quad). A big point that Clark made was that we can’t continue to borrow money from the school budget for repairs, that, in the past, has limited other purchases, such as computers and desks.
“The last bond to pass was about 1982 and this money added the gym and science wing to Central; then Ferndale, which was a separate school district at the time, passed a bond to build their primary wing and cafeteria about the same time,” Mr. Rodighiero provided. The “Quad” (Social Studies) and Agriculture Buildings were added in 1964. Two years ago, in 2013, District Interim Superintendent Jim Reger was able to pass a local levy, one that doesn’t guarantee money. With a matching amount from the state government, the Milton-Freewater School District expected to receive $650,000, but, due to tax compression issues, about half of the expected money was lost.
The question Dr. Clark presented us with is “How much can we raise?”
And that was the question of the evening. An example that he provided was $1 for every $1000 of assessed value of houses. If this example bond is passed, around $12 million dollars could be raised in 20 years, enough to make an elementary school big enough to host the 425 students currently attending Grove and Freewater Elementary Schools. The average home is assessed and valued at $126,000 in all of Umatilla County, according to County Tax Assessor Paul Chalmers. The average home value of Milton-Freewater homes is around $110,000, which is a rough number Chalmers provided. To help our students and children would cost most homeowners less than 10 dollars a month according to these numbers. Grove and Freewater are both 60% portables, which were meant to only serve as a temporary fix while they planned to build real buildings. One plan for the future is to get our students out of the portables, instead of continuing to try to fix them. Ferndale is the only closed elementary school in Milton-Freewater, referring to the many modular buildings on the campuses.
Our schools are a big deal within the Milton-Freewater community. We all want the best for our children, students, and the future of our town. The best way to secure our future as a growing community is to invest in our youth. One of the most important things, added Dr. Clark, is to develop a good economy within our community. Because 22% of nationwide households have children in schools, aged 6-18, it is vital to country-wide communities that those children receive the best education possible.
As more and more families are attracted to the Walla Walla Valley, when they drive around, they are judging Milton-Freewater based on the outward appearance of our schools, provided Clark. We, as a community, need to make a pledge to our students and our children to improve the quality of their buildings and facilities. The quality of the instructors and outward physical appearances are what the opinions are based on. Since 2007, the school district has lost 300 students, due to them leaving to attend WaHi, private schools, or moving because of migrant-labor. With this loss of income, it is hard to continue running three separate elementary schools, let alone continue to patch them up. Eight years ago, a total of 2047 students attended our five schools. Today, we only have 1758, and that lower number estimates to $1950000 lost (around $6500 per student).
Clark has spent the last few months collecting rough estimates and will spend the next couple months getting more. The current ceilings in the gym have been leaking everywhere. The roof is 48 years old and is shot. When it was made, the contractors said it would last at least 40 years, and that estimate has been exceeded. “We’re lucky for it to have made it as far as it has due to the high quality craftsmanship,” he informed the attendees during the meeting. Clark says that this should be one of the first repairs made, and he also mentioned that the District will pay for new bleachers in the gym after the ceiling is fixed.
A new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system (HVAC) is also high on Dr. Clark’s list. For both the middle and high school to get new HVAC systems, the schools would need a sizable chunk of money, with an estimate currently unavailable. With matching fund promises, we could also receive up to $8 million from the state, based on eligibility ranking, with us ending up with almost $20 million dollars. One parent asserted that, since our softball team is so highly awarded, their facilities should represent their status, instead of having to share a softball field with the Little League. Principal Mindi Vaughn chimed in, explaining how she was surprised at the lack of infrastructure and technology, and would like to focus on updating the high school buildings. She sees that the buildings are valued and cared for, and currently has no plans about getting rid of any of them. Of the 31 attendees, several had suggestions to offer when Dr. Clark asked what they would add or change if budgets were unlimited.
Mr. Duff, principal of Freewater Elementary School, said that he would like to see real buildings replace the modulars in Grove and Freewater so his kids don’t have to worry about bundling up when going from classroom to classroom in the winter. Mr. Rodighiero told the group that he would like to have all of the windows replaced and to get rid of all the clashing blue trim around the school. Ms. Muilenburg from Grove dreams of having a special school just for an Early Learning Center for children in Pre-K and 2nd grade, focusing on building a good foundation of essential skills. Ms. Holden, an attendee who works at MacHi, would love to see classrooms with more updated technology and more storage space, and Ms. Garcia had a similar request along with better computers for her Digital Graphics classes.
“It is important for our students to talk to their parents about voting YES to pass this,” encouraged Larisa Steele, an attendee, after hearing Dr. Clark explain how little it would cost each household, and how much all of the schools would benefit. These changes need to be able to made in the near future, especially as kids are transferring to Walla Walla High School, decreasing our funds to continue making improvements. Voting will most likely take place May 17th of next year, depending on the school board’s decision.
Dr. Clark also provided the option of sending him an e-mail for any questions that community members may have (his e-mail is “rob.clark@miltfree.k12.or.us”). “We need to have pride in our community,” he added. “It will be our teachers and our parents who make this work.”
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