Editor:
I had a chance to go through the high school and was shocked at the condition. It was very nice, especially the gym and auditorium. There are some things that need to be fixed but have not been taken care of, so it will look bad and require a new school.
I wonder if the school board and school administration would bulldoze their own home if it needs a new roof, furnace or maybe a water heater. The alleged cost of fixing the high school is so outrageous, they must think the taxpayers are stupid.
The school has a lot of things going for it that the new one wont have. It is the most modern-looking building in Cortez, large parking lot and enough land for the sports kids to practice. Lots of kids walk to school. Nobody will walk to the new school, just ride buses. More buses, more expenses, and kids will get no exercise.
We dont need another massive, extreme sports complex, very expensive to keep up. Cortez is a small, poor town.
The school is supposed to cost $37 million for the taxpayers, which will increase because there are always unforeseen expenses. Ive seen three schools built and all had more cost than the school boards said they would. The new school will be very expensive to keep up, especially the massive sports complex.
You cant trust the people who want this new school. Theyll tell you just what you want to hear. I wouldnt be surprised if the vandalism on the high school was done by a new school supporter.
Keep in mind the same people who paid $24,000 to get rid of a couple bats are the same ones who are telling us how cheap the new school will be. Remember, the same crew will just slide over to the new school and the kids wont do any better.
You have to be careful voting to raise your taxes. It will be higher than they say and next year theyll be back for more. They will never be satisfied.
Dennis Zetts
Cortez
Editors note: The ballot question states that the absolute maximum repayment will be $37.1 million. If interest rates remain low (which is expected), the repayment will be fixed at an interest rate of about 3.50 percent, for a total repayment of $29.9 million. The district can only levy enough to pay the debt service on the bonds, nothing more.
