As Vermonters know, it is essential that we preserve our resources.
Harwood Union is a resource of the entire Washington West community.
The building is now 42 years old and it is showing its age. Our roof is
leaking, our heating system does not distribute heat evenly through the
building, and our primary water main is leaking. The dishwasher, which
is still the original, runs for five hours every school day and
requires regular repairs. Our parking lot and driveway have deep
potholes that present dangers to pedestrians and cars.
Finally, while our sports teams have grown by almost 300 percent since
the school opened, our one regulation playing field is frequently too
wet to use, forcing us to cancel games. Voters made it clear last year
that they do not support substantial expansion of our athletic
facilities. While the $2.5 million plan proposed last year included
significant expansion of our athletic facilities, this proposal deals
with improving the safety and condition of our existing field and only
modest expansion, focused on the land adjacent to Harwood that voters
approved for purchase in 2000 specifically for the addition of another
playing field. Passage of this bond will allow us to move ahead with
that plan and begin using this resource.
Specifically, the $1.1 million bond that we are recommending includes
$288,000 for building repairs, $500,000 to totally redo our parking
lot, $175,000 to repair our current playing field and add an additional
field, and $77,000 to replace kitchen appliances. (The remaining funds
are for "contingencies," but we will only borrow the amount that is
needed after actual bids come in.)
What is the bottom line? While our tax structure does not allow a clear
answer to that question, we estimate that a family with a $200,000
house will pay an extra $20 annually in taxes. But, there will also be
costs if this bond is not passed. In just the first four months of this
fiscal year we spent some $15,000 in repairs on those items we are
targeting for replacement. Without the passage of this bond, our
repair bills will continue to mount and those expenses will come out of
our regular operating budget -- meaning we will have to cut back on
core educational programs. For all of these reasons, we are
recommending that voters approve the bond vote on November 10.
Harwood Union Middle-High School Board of Directors consists of: Joanne Duhl,
Waitsfield; Mary Gow, Warren; Freddie Graves, Fayston; Ann Griffin,
Waterbury; Bob Holden, Moretown; Chris Koliba, Duxbury; Mike LaRock,
Waterbury; and Scott Mackey, Waterbury.
