On Nov. 5, we will again be voting on a proposal to renovate and expand our high school. Why vote again so soon? The overcrowding, outdated computer network systems, lack of building security, unsafe auto and bus traffic patterns and non-compliance with ADA laws are all issues that must be addressed in the short term. The urgency of these needs, plus the desire to avoid losing an entire year’s construction season, lead to the decision to vote again in November.
Much has changed since we voted in June. The public was surveyed to learn why the bond failed. Results showed that voters wanted a less expensive option, and they wanted to vote on the artificial turf and track question separately. This is exactly what we will be voting on in November. Voters will have an option on the ballot that renovates and expands the school building for $2.3 million less than the option presented last June. In a separate question, we will also be voting on whether to upgrade the grass fields to an artificial turf surface with a synthetic running track.
Durham voters rejected the bond proposal last June. It’s not hard to understand why, when we were already looking at a 12 percent tax increase without the addition of a bond, which would have made the increase close to 20 percent. Many believe that if we continue to vote no, we will be stopping a tax increase. Unfortunately, if we continue to reject efforts to renovate the high school, we will be facing far larger tax increases in the future. The least expensive option for Durham taxpayers is to say yes to the renovation bond.
In 2012, I served as chairman of a committee appointed by the selectmen to explore the pros and cons of Durham’s potential withdrawal from the RSU. The committee found that the cost of being a standalone school district and paying tuition to send our kids to other high schools was far greater than the cost of staying in the RSU and paying our share of a high school renovation bond. Some may think that is no longer true, but I assure you, it is. If the high school renovation bond is approved, it will cost the median taxpayer in Durham $136 per year, or just over $11 per month. If the athletic upgrade were also approved, it would cost an additional $24 per year, or $2 per month. If Durham were not in the RSU this year, the median taxpayer would have seen an estimated tax increase of about $500 on top of the increase we saw from the RSU this year.
On Oct. 4 I had the opportunity to sit with Donna Church at the Get N Go and share with her the information I’ve put together over the last 18 months. She was very interested in what I presented to her and has graciously agreed to let me spend some time in her store speaking with customers interested in discussing these issues in more detail. I’ll be at the Get N Go for breakfast every Wednesday morning at 7 between now and the vote on Nov. 5. Additional times might be added if there is interest.
I would also welcome the opportunity to speak with any other group of interested voters at a neighborhood meeting, church group or any other gathering. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
Kevin Nadeau
Durham
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