Based on data provided by the Cape school board, indications suggest that our region will continue to experience tremendous population growth. As has been stated numerous times, the district proclaims the need to build additional schools every few years in order to keep up with this growth. If true, why is the board’s new referendum diverting funds designed to enhance education and learning to building a mega district complex in a congested area that already has a relatively new elementary and middle school within a half-mile of the proposed site?
How much effort was really put into the site selection and plan?
Is there a 10-year plan supporting current board’s aspirations? Has there been a traffic study? Where are the estimated cost projections for future major capital projects like new school buildings? How does the new referendum resolve the board’s claims of desperation to adequately serve both the near- and long-term educational needs of our children?
Similarly to the recently defeated Cape referendum in March of this year, the Cape board is repeating its plea to voters to approve expenditures exceeding $47,000,000, emphasizing the support of staff and student needs when, in reality, the numbers provided in the referendum show only $4,575,000 (9.6%) of the referendum dollars are earmarked to the section for operating budget that would directly benefit students. You read that correctly, only $4,575,000 (9.6%) of the referendum dollars. A total of $42,974,705 (90%) of the funds requested are earmarked for non-educational projects. Perhaps this is why the state board of education rejected Cape’s request for financial support?
The misguided strategy to combine the future operating increases and capital projects parts of the referendum into a single up-or-down vote clearly signals the board’s willingness to potentially sacrifice the stated 2024-25 needs of students in order to pass major capital projects – ones that voters already rejected two months ago.
What’s changed?
The major difference between this new referendum and that of the defeated March 2024 referendum is the (temporary) elimination of the natatorium (swimming complex) as part of the plan. Make no mistake, while the pool has been temporarily sidelined, it has not been eliminated. As stated by Superintendent Bob Fulton during the board workshop meeting April 11, “... a swimming pool and facility that all students can have access to … is very important. We’re not going to let that go.”
Be advised, at the end of the day, the May referendum is virtually the same as the March referendum, with the pool being delayed by a year or two. Once the land has been secured, the natatorium will soon follow.
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