Tom Hemphill’s goal of reducing the financial burden for taxpayers whenever possible while maintaining quality schools with well-managed finances is a goal shared by the Bainbridge Island School District board and staff.

We are justifiably proud of our track record of wisely using voter-approved funds to do capital improvements for our schools.

Here are some highlights of instances in which the district saved taxpayer dollars during the high school construction project:

1. The building design uses a system of rain and rooftop gardens to support surface ground-water management.

This eliminated the need to build an underground water retention tank, which not only reduced the amount of impervious surface area on the site but also saved several hundred-thousand dollars in site development costs.

2. We pursued opportunities for outside funding by identifying, applying for, and receiving grants that totaled nearly $450,000.

3. Most important, we had exemplary project management and oversight. Our team worked closely with contractors and subcontractors to avoid the kinds of problems that lead to time delays and litigation. Consequently, we did not have to use all the contingency funds that had been reserved for potential contract disputes and legal fees. We plan to continue these sound management practices on future projects.

Tom’s suggestion to refund unspent dollars is an honorable one, and one that the school board will research. He was premature, however, in projecting an amount that may become available.

In addition to the work at the high school, the 2006 bond identified many projects throughout the district that have not yet been completed. Once we finish all the work we promised to do, we will have firm knowledge as to the final bottom line. At that point we will be in a position to discuss what to do with those dollars.

With the aid of expert, professional advice, the master plan identified more than $175 million of work that needs to be done in district schools over the next 10-15 years.

Even though the 2006 bond allowed us to tackle those projects with highest priority, much of that work still needs to be done if we want to keep our schools healthy and operating efficiently.

The best way to pay back voters may be to apply any left over funds directly to capital projects identified as priorities in the master plan.

Alternatively, we could choose to pay down existing bond debt, or we could choose to reduce the amount of future bond requests. Each of these three options would effectively reduce the tax burden.

Whatever decision we make, it will be discussed at school board meetings where public comment is appreciated and encouraged.

Mary Curtis, president

Bainbridge Island School Board