Dear Editor,

This coming May 5, voters in the Warsaw Community School Corp., will have the opportunity to participate in making a choice that will result in ongoing consequences for many years to come. This letter is an attempt to bring some important considerations to light so that voters can make an informed decision.

The school board and administration have done an excellent job of sharing with the public sound reasons why we are being asked to vote for an increase in our property tax bill. I believe the rationale presented represents a logical and prudent approach toward providing for the educational needs of both present and future generations of students.

It should be noted that the easiest solution for those tasked with this challenge would be to do nothing, and let a future generation pick up the pieces. Instead, the board and administration have demonstrated courage in taking these very tough problems head on in an attempt to rectify them.

In seeking a positive outcome to the referendum, the board and administration have taken the high road, and thus have not dwelled upon the “what ifs” that will come should the referendum not pass. However, because the public needs to be aware of the consequences of a “No” vote, let us consider some of the options that would likely have to be considered should the referendum fail:

• Option: Abandon the current Lincoln school for reasons involving serious building deficiencies, safety and security, and the lack of the same educational opportunities that currently exist in the other elementary schools. The potential consequences of this action could include:
  The need for massive redistricting across the school corporation. This would result in a significant number of students being transferred from their current schools to other schools. Even worse, there would not be enough room across the district to adequately house all students.
  The school corporation would need to divest itself of the facility. It is entirely possible that the building could be converted into some sort of multidwelling unit, such as an apartment building or senior living facility. Property values in the area would no doubt be at risk of decline.
• Option: Attempt to address the issues at Lincoln and the other three facilities by issuing a series of $2 million general obligation bonds per site per year over the next several years in an attempt to “band-aid” the needs that exist. This bonding is something that the school district has the legal authority to do, although it represents a more expensive and much less efficient and desirable option.
  This option would be more costly over time to the majority of taxpayers than the referendum. This is due to the impact of projected higher interest rates in the future, along with the application of tax abatements and residential tax caps. In the referendum option, all are included in the tax; thus, the burden is spread out amongst all taxpayers.
  The educational process would be disrupted for years, due to the constant stream of smaller projects that would need to be undertaken.
• Option: Determine how to continue to compete with other school districts as families, businesses, and other entities make decisions concerning where to locate. The educational arena is now a very competitive market place, and those communities that do not keep pace with the fast-paced world in which we live will find it hard to remain economically and socially viable as the 21st century unfolds.

In conclusion, the phrase “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later” comes to mind. We can pay the costs now that are needed to continue to move our school district forward, or we can pay later with increased costs, a lower quality result, and a less than desirable educational environment.

This vitally important choice is ours to make. Please vote on May 5.

Lee Harman
Warsaw