School Levy - What the Proposition ACTUALLY Says

I just want to make sure that EVERYONE is aware of the actual wording of the proposition that the school district is wanting us to pass.  Please be aware that the tax increase is an "estimate" and may change upward AFTER it passes if you vote yes.  Also, please be aware that if once the actual planning begins, they find that they can't afford to build the new school, they will keep the funds and use them for other remodeling or repair needs in the district, the decision on what specifically they spend those funds on towards the school buildings is entirely up to the district.  The website to read the actual proposition is http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/25772

Please pay very careful attention to this:

If the District shall determine that it has become impracticable to accomplish any of such improvements or portions thereof by reason of changed conditions or needs, incompatible development, costs substantially in excess of those estimated, or acquisition by a superior governmental authority, the District shall not be required to accomplish such improvement and may apply levy proceeds or any portion thereof to other portions of the improvements or to other capital purposes of the District, as the District in its discretion shall determine.  Notwithstanding any provision of this resolution to the contrary, levy proceeds may only be used to support the construction and remodeling of school facilities.

Later in the same proposition:

The cost of all necessary planning, architectural, engineering and other consulting services, inspection and testing, administrative and relocation expenses, on and off-site utilities, related improvements and other costs incurred in connection with the making of the foregoing capital improvements shall be deemed a part of the costs of such Improvements.  Such Improvements shall include all necessary furniture, equipment and appurtenances, including computer and other technology equipment.

Please also pay close attention to the following:  The estimated levy rate depends upon the final dollar amount of assessed value of the property within the District.  (This is followed by the ESTIMATED rates) "The exact levy rate shall be adjusted based upon the actual assessed value of the property within the District at the time of the levy."  So the amount of tax you are agreeing to, may change.

After reading this, the bottom line is the district will receive the money first, then do the actual plans and find out the actual costs, if those costs are MORE than the levy, they can then choose to not build the new school or to NOT rebuild Artondale, and use the funds in some other fashion on the school buildings. My question to all of you is, did you believe that you were being promised a new school? Did you believe that you were being promised a rebuilt Artondale? There is no Guarantee that this will occur. I truly believe that costs will run over, by a large amount, history and experience prove this to be true, they can't know what they will run into until they run into it. What if the money gets spent on renovations and no new school? What if Artondale gets left behind with only a patch or two. This levy is too open ended.  If they can't build the school AND replace Artondale, as promised, they should have to refund the money back to the taxpayers.  

Either way, when you consider that we are basing the cost on guesses and no REAL figures, you must come to the conclusion that this is not well planned at all.  They need to go back to the drawing board and come back with something more concrete.  Right now I feel like they are asking for my money first, then if they can't do the project for that amount, they will spend my money on something different.