Frequently Asked Questions about Needed School Facilities

1.      What are the current facility needs of the school district?
ANSWER – A district facility advisory committee made up of community members has worked for more than a year studying the facility needs of the district.  The district has also received a grant from the state to complete a comprehensive Study and Survey of its facilities.   A twenty-year facility needs timeline based on projected growth has been created to meet the capacity needs of our current and future student populations (forecasted to be more than 3,000 students by 2027).  Their work resulted in a recommendation to the school board of five needed projects:

PROJECT #1 - Expand educational facilities in support of elementary students (grades K-5) through the construction of a second elementary school.
PROJECT #2 - Expand athletic facilities in support of secondary school students (grades 7-12) through the construction of a stadium/track complex.
PROJECT #3 - Prepare for future growth by purchasing an additional school site now for future use.
PROJECT #4 - Expand athletic facilities in support of secondary school students (grades 7-12) through the construction of an auxiliary gym at the high school.
PROJECT #5 - Get buses away from students by creating a new off-site school bus parking facility.

2.      Why do we need a new elementary school?
ANSWER – We currently have more than 720 elementary students in a building that was designed for around 460 students (permanent facility only – not including portables).  Forecast for growth of La Center shows continued expansion of the population within the city and the district, and that means more students.  Once a bond is passed, it will take approximately two years to be able to open a new school for students.  Elementary schools are the least expensive school building to construct, as compared to middle school and high schools.  This is because elementary students don’t need the same amount of space per student, they don’t require specialized spaces such as science labs, locker rooms, etc.  Therefore, not only is the need the greatest at the elementary level, it is also the least expensive cost per student way to create the extra space we need.

3.      Where would a new elementary school be built?
ANSWER – Late in 2006, the district purchased 17 acres at the corner of Bolen Road and 14th Avenue. The district purchased this property because it was deemed feasible for the construction of an elementary school and almost all the residential developments currently in process are out along the old Pacific Highway.  Future plans by the city of La Center are to connect 14th Avenue directly with the Pacific Highway, as well as connect Bolen Road with Aspen and South View Heights.  What might seem like a ways out of town now will actually be very close to town within the coming years.

4.      How many students will the new elementary school be built for and what will this mean to the existing elementary school?
ANSWER – As part of our twenty-year facility needs timeline, a new facility designed to house five-hundred students is what’s needed.  Our current elementary school will remain an elementary school, but both will serve a projected 425 students at opening.  The extra space created at our present elementary will allow for the extra student growth expected in the middle school.

5.      How many teachers will need to be added with a new elementary building and can we afford them?
ANSWER – As our student population grows, so too will the state funding to afford additional teachers.  Because we are essentially at our capacity in the elementary school now, we will have to find additional spaces to temporarily place students in areas not designed to serve as elementary classrooms (e.g. library areas, in portables at the high school, etc.). When a new school is built, some of the students (and their teachers) who are being served in the present elementary school will relocate to the new school and thus eliminate the need for temporary classroom space.  This will once again place all of our students in classrooms that are designed to serve in that capacity.  If we can house all our students temporarily until the new school is built and keep our class sizes reasonable, then no new teachers will be needed.  However, if our only option is to maximize class sizes in our current elementary classrooms in order to serve all students, then we will need to hire some teachers once the building is built in order to return class sizes to a more desirable range.

6.      What grades will be attending the new elementary school?
ANSWER – Our mission is to provide all students the best possible educational opportunity.  In the elementary, that opportunity is currently configured in a kindergarten through 5th grade model.  That model may need to change to a primary school (grades K-2) and intermediate (grades 3-5) configuration.  On the other hand, it may be best to remain consistent with the current configuration and have two elementary schools that are both K-5 configurations.  Both have strengths as well as concerns for a variety of reasons (e.g. impacts on families, proximity to school, transportation, educational strategies, etc.).  This community discussion will take a significant amount of time and will be part of the design process following approval of the funding to build the building.  To do this well, the funds to design the best educational facilities to meet the needs of students must be available and this will only occur once the bond is approved.

7.      Short of building a new elementary school to house our growing student population, what other options do we have?
ANSWER – Using the traditional model of school (8:15 AM to 3:00 PM, September through June and summers off), our only option is to add more portable buildings.  However, this would require us to place them onto play fields or athletic fields.  This option also does not account for expansion of core facilities such as libraries, technology and science labs, cafeterias, gyms, parking, etc.  Beyond the traditional school schedule, year-round school or early/late shifting of students could provide some short-term relief.  These options started to be explored back in the fall of 2005 at a community town hall meeting.  Even if we were to select a non-traditional educational model/schedule, sooner or later we will still need to expand our facilities considering the continued growth forecasted for the La Center area. 

8.      Why do we need to have a school bus parking facility?  Don’t we already have a place to park the buses? 
ANSWER – Yes we do have a school bus parking facility now.  It is located on the K-8 campus, but just as our student population is growing, so too is the need for additional buses.  We simply need a location farther away from our youngest students that will handle our long-term needs for ample school bus parking as well as minimize the mixing of buses and elementary students. The actual site for this needed space is currently being sought, so our projected costs for this project could change depending on the final location. Additionally, we desperately need a better and more appropriate maintenance building to handle both our present and future needs.  If the buses are moved to another locations, the present large building where some of our buses are currently parked will be converted into a new district maintenance building. To see pictures of the current bus parking facility, click here.

9.      Why do we need a stadium and an auxiliary gym at the high school?
ANSWER – Research shows that the more students are involved in their school beyond the traditional school day (i.e. athletics, clubs, activities, etc.), the greater their academic achievement.  Combine our focus to expand these types of opportunities for students with a growing student population, and it is clear to see why our athletic facilities are stretched thin.  During the winter, we have students practicing before school (C-team practice) and after school till 9:00PM (Boys and girls teams).  Having an auxiliary gym will allow us to serve more students and get them home sooner.  Additionally, we have a significant and growing demand for the use of school facilities from groups (students and adults) from our community.  The La Center School District is community owned and therefore should be made available to our patrons and citizens for a variety of uses.  Our athletic facilities are a key part of this service. 

10.  It seems like the stadium is thought to be only about high school football.  How else can it be utilized to a greater degree by the district and community?
ANSWER – The stadium will be used by boys and girls soccer, boys and girls track, as well as football.  Student-athletes in both the high school and middle school will be able to use this facility for their home games and events.  We also anticipate the stadium will be used by the community in many ways; from youth sports organizations, regional sporting events, community celebrations, etc.  We may even some day need to hold graduations outdoors as our student population continues to grow.

11.  Doesn’t the state pay for school facilities?
ANSWER – The state pays a small portion of the cost of new or remodeled school facilities.  It is a fairly complicated formula, but as of now, we qualify for a little under three million dollars in state match money, and this is only after the passage of a local bond to pay for the needed facilities.

12. Since the stadium and auxiliary gym would expand opportunities for community events and activities, could the city absorb some of the cost of something that would benefit so many?
ANSWER – Since the city is a separate entity, it must follow different rules and has its own mechanism for funding its operation.  The law is clear that even though there would be some benefit to the city for having a stadium and auxiliary gym added to the high school, no city resources can be expended to pay for it.

13.  Are other districts in our area also experiencing similar growth and what do they pay for their school taxes to fund operations and build facilities?
ANSWER – There are districts in our area where their communities pay significantly more as well as some that pay much less to fund schools.  La Center is right at the average in total taxes for our M & O Levy and our current bonds.  Of the nine Clark County School Districts and the Woodland School District (included because of its proximity to La Center), five districts are currently planning on running bonds in the spring of 2008 (Evergreen, Washougal, Ridgefield, Woodland and La Center).  CLICK HERE to see what La Center pays for its levy and bonds relative to other area schools.

14.  Does the district receive money from the card rooms like the city, and if so, can they pay for these needed facilities?
ANSWER – The district does not receive any business taxes in any form like the city does.  The bulk of our operational revenue comes from the state and federal governments.  We also receive a locally approved operational levy based on property taxes (not business taxes) that is critical to our providing the services students need.  Property taxes are also approved for collection from local property owners to pay for facilities.  The district does receive grants from the Casino Foundation for various specific projects like our 6th grade Outdoor School, Veterans’ Bench at the high school, and many other smaller yet important efforts.  The Casino Foundation, the card rooms, as well as other businesses in the La Center area have helped La Center schools in a variety of ways.  However, the scale of this need is way beyond any one business or group or the funds they are able to provide.  A local group of citizens have formed a foundation (La Center Educational Foundation) to attempt to raise the money to build a stadium.  They have done some great work, yet have not been able to find the key donor to fund the stadium project.  We believe that once a bond is approved, their efforts of connecting with potential donors will ultimately provide some private funds to enhance the stadium and the auxiliary gym such as concession areas, restrooms, fencing, score board, etc.  We cannot count on the specifics of these potential private donations, but every little bit helps.  The key clearly is approval of a bond to provide the basic facilities and then let private funds enhance the final product.

15.  Shouldn't’ those who are new to the district pay the full cost of additional facilities?
ANSWER – Clearly continual growth is causing the need to expand our facilities.  However, these facilities will belong to everyone and be used by both current and future students.  Impact fees are designed to offset some of the costs of growth, but they will never pay for all of it because everyone, not just those new to the district, will utilize these additional facilities.  Our school board has once again recommended that the maximum impact fees allowable by law be charged and collected to help pay for these needed facilities.  The city council for the city of La Center and the board of county commissioners for Clark County are the official governmental agencies that approve impact fees.  They have consistently supported the recommendation to maximize impact fees charged to developers.  In short, the district is doing everything within the law to maximize the collection of impact fees to help offset the cost of growth, but it still requires local approval of funds to pay for needed facilities.

16.  Why don’t the developers pay for the expansion of school facilities?
ANSWER – In other communities, large-scale developers have assisted schools in some capacity, often in a trade-off for the impact fees or special city or county government approval to build.  However, the developers that are building in La Center are only developing smaller developments and pay for their impact through Impact Fees (See FAQ #12 for additional information on impact fees).

17.  Besides a bond request, what is the district doing to reduce the need for residential property owners to pay the cost of these needed facilities?
ANSWER – For more than a year, the district has worked to enhance its tax base by requesting a school boundary review.  Our position is that the district is being impacted by growth due to its proximity to the I-5 corridor and therefore should benefit from the commercial and industrial property that will be developed at the La Center junction.  This is a long-term debate that will continue till we obtain the tax-base diversification needed to adequately support our growing student population and reduce the tax burden on the residential property owners of our district.  Once this is done, commercial and industrial development will begin to take on some of the responsibilities of paying for the needed school facilities resulting from growth.

18.  There never seems to be enough parking at either campus.  Will additional parking be part of these facility projects?
ANSWER – The short answer is YES!  Parking is almost always a requirement of any significant construction project.  Certainly the new elementary school project will have parking.  The parking concerns that are present on the K-8 campus will be reduced with a reduction of students being served on the site once the new elementary school is opened.  Additionally, moving the school buses off site will also help provide additional parking.  The high school parking situation will have to be addressed by the addition of space for about seventy cars in the upper parking area.  The lower parking area across from the park is actually owned by the city of La Center with our right to use it for school parking.  Therefore, it will remain as is.

19.  Didn't’ we just approve a levy in 2006?
ANSWER – Yes.  A four-year levy was approved by voters in the spring of 2006.  However, that was a replacement M & O (Maintenance and Operations) levy and cannot be used to build facilities.  A quick way to remember the difference between a levy and a bond is, Levies are for Learning, and Bonds are for Building. 

20.  When was the last bond approved by the voters?
ANSWER – The last bond was approved in the fall of 2002.  In a growing district like ours, it is not uncommon to have a bond cycle every five years or so.  There is no sense in over building or under building.  The goal is to find the right balance that keeps the facility usage between 80% and 100% of capacity so operations are as efficient as possible.  The same is true for most, if not all, of a community’s infrastructure (e.g. roads, water, sewer, parks, power, etc.), of which schools should be included.

21. Question: With the passage of House Joint Resolution 4204 (Simple Majority), will that mean that any school bond will only need simple majority to be approved?
ANSWER:  The simple answer is no.  This new change in the state’s constitution only applies to school levies, which will now require only a 50% plus one vote (simple majority) approval to pass.  Bonds still require super majority approval (60% plus one vote) to pass.  A good way to separate the difference between a bond and a levy is; Levies are for Learning (operational costs) and Bonds are for Buildings (facility construction). 

22.  Once these facilities are built, how long will this level of facilities meet our needs?
ANSWER – If the growth projections turn out to be accurate, we will need to consider an additional expansion of facilities in 2013.  The twenty-year capital facility needs timeline maps out this timetable.

23.  What if La Center grows faster or slower than anticipated in the district’s twenty-year facility needs timeline?
ANSWER – Having a long-term plan can serve to map out the work ahead.  As with all plans, it needs to be consistently reviewed and adjusted as needed.  If the variables do change significantly with the timing of additional facilities (faster or slower than expected growth), then the timeline can be either compressed or expanded to meet the need.  Either way, having a roadmap for a long-term strategy for addressing growth needs is essential to providing the best possible educational environment for students at the most affordable and reasonable cost.  Over building or under building will waste resources and reduce the opportunities for students.

24.  What if I am a senior citizen on a limited income and can’t afford to pay additional taxes?
ANSWER – There are ways to receive assistance in this regard.  The best option is to contact the Clark County Assessor's office at 397-2391 or go to their website www.clark.wa.gov/treasurer/property/index.html to see if you qualify.

25. Who gets to vote?
ANSWER - All registered voters living within the boundaries of the La Center school district have the right to vote on this bond election. If you have not yet registered to vote it is not too late. You may register by mail or in person. Deadlines are April 19th for mail-in registration and May 5th for in-person registration. Call 263-2131 for more information.

26. How much is being requested?
ANSWER - This bond is for $32 million to be repaid over 20 years at an estimated rate of $1.40 per thousand of assessed value on all property within the school district.

27. What does that mean in cost per year?
ANSWER - Obviously each property is assessed differently. Using a sample property worth $400,000 an estimated annual cost would be approximately $560 per year or $46.67 per month. For those who itemize deductions on their income tax, the amount will be reduced equal to their tax bracket (see your tax advisor).

28. What percentage of the Bond dollars will be allocated to each of the projects?
ANSWER - Second Elementary School - 68%, Athletic Facilities - 20%, Offsite School Bus Facilities - 6%, Land Acquisition for Future Needs - 6%. In addition, if the taxpayers of La Center School District approve the $32M bond request, the district will be eligible to receive an estimated $4.3M in state "matching" dollars. These dollars are part of the total cost estimation needed to complete all the stated projects.

29. If approved, when will this Bond begin collection?
ANSWER - Collection would begin in the spring of 2009 and run through the fall of 2028.

30. I know I'm paying local school taxes now. What are those funds paying for?
ANSWER - La Center voters approved a bond in 2002 to pay for renovations and expansions to the existing academic school facilities. At the time, the district consolidated all bonds into one debt to reduce interest costs. In 2006 voters approved a maintenance and operations (M & O) levy to replace the previous levy that was expiring. M & O levies, as stated above, are not a debt, but are collected each year for operations and require regular renewal. La Center taxpayers are currently paying school taxes as follows:

31. Why didn't we take care of the need for more facilities in the 2002 Bond?
ANSWER - In a growing community like ours, the rate of growth changes so it doesn't make sense to over build. A long-term plan is in place to address facility needs to match the anticipated increases in student population. Therefore, as the need to serve more student occurs, additional facilities will be requested periodically for voter approval. Now that our student population has exceeded capacity of our facilities, a request is being made as per the long-term plan to address them.

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Last updated - 4/1/2008