School board should ‘refund’ leftovers to taxpayers | Letters, July 17

Published 3:30 pm Monday, July 20, 2009

I’d like to share with you an idea I have shared with our school board, which is considering it.

Back in 2005 before our $45 million school bond was approved, I suggested that it would be a good idea to “refund” the taxpayers any monies “left over” after the capital projects were completed.

Most are aware of the good news. There is money “left over” – between $1 million to $500,000.

I strongly recommend that our Bainbridge Island School District “refund” this money to the taxpayers. There are a variety of ways this can be done. One is to pay down on existing bonds. Another is to reduce our property taxes proportionately. The point is, the school district would be showing the community that they have been good stewards of the taxpayers’ money (and trust).

Conversely, if our school board elects not to “refund” the money, it sends a message to the taxpayers that: a) the money belongs to the district, not “in trust” from the taxpayers, b) the district will never have enough money because the “overages” are always spent.

I asked the board to consider the positive publicity from pursuing the “refund” strategy. We all know how close the last bond election was and how unsettled the taxpayers are about our dire national and local economy. Granting a “refund” would be a great message to communicate to our community – and our school students – that our district has been a good steward of taxpayer dollars. And instead of spending this money, would actually return it to the very citizens who expressed their trust.

If you agree with this “refund” approach, email your assent to school board president Mary Curtis, at mcpcurtis@comcast.net.

Tom Hemphill

Pleasant Beach