Monday, April 18, 2011

Timing Is Right!

People have commented that this is a bad time for Lincoln County School District to pass a bond measure. The truth is, the timing couldn't be better!
Low interest rates, competitive pricing among contractors, availability of federal stimulus from the Qualified School Construction Bond program that will lower bond interest rates, saving taxpayers around $9.4 MILLION over the 15-year life of the bond? That's HUGE! 

The needs aren't diminishing, the buildings are getting older, construction will never be cheaper.... When you know the facts, it's hard to argue against passage of the bond measure! 

Monday, April 4, 2011

Concerning west area bus parking

We had a comment asking about West Area bus parking....and the answer is:
 
No, a West Area bus parking lot is not included among the proposed bond projects.
 
As a bit of background, LCSD contracts its transporation services through Mid Columbia Bus Co. School buses serving West Area schools had been parked at the former Yaquina View School site in Newport for the past couple of school years. School District and Mid-Columbia Bus officials have worked with neighbors to address concerns about noise associated with the daily arrival and departure of schools buses, but neighbors were not satisfied with the solution.
 
So, as of March 30, West Area buses are now being parked at the school district's Burgess Facility in Toledo. This adds approximately $34,000 to the cost of transporting West Area students (as reflected in additional labor and fuel costs to cover the additional miles and time between Yaquina View and Burgess).
 
School District administrators are researching possible locations for a West Area bus parking that would include a restroom, work space, and computer access for bus drivers.