BACC Supports Measure 6-166, Oct. 16

News release BACC. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC), after a thorough review of the proposal, has voted to support Coos County Measure 6-166 and urges you to be an active partner in revitalization of Coos Bay School District facilities by voting yes. The Coos Bay School District is seeking capital funds to replace old deficient buildings that have served their purpose, but are well beyond the lives they were designed for. If approved, the bond proceeds would be used as follows: • Construct a new Eastside Elementary School to replace Blossom Gulch Elementary School. This would include tearing down the old Eastside Elementary School. The new elementary school will be co-located near the existing Millicoma Intermediate School to facilitate sharing as many resources as possible. • Additions to Madison Elementary School to replace temporary classrooms and restrooms and to increase instructional space. • Construction of a new 7th-8th grade building where the Harding Building currently is located. This would include demolition of the existing building except for the gym and rebuilding a modern junior high school and an additional gym/multi-purpose room. • Renovations to Madison, Sunset and Millicoma Schools to improve safety, security, accessibility, efficiency, and building systems. The estimated cost to the taxpayers of the school district is $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value for 25 years. The cost estimate is down from $1.85 per $1,000 in the previous measure, because the district applied for matching funds and was successful in obtaining a state grant of $4,000,000 that will pay approximately 6.25% of the total costs if the measure passes. Favorable interest rate conditions in the intervening months were also a contributing factor to reducing the projected levy rate. The new/renovated schools will have technology built into them that will allow teachers and students to use Wi-Fi and other technological advances that currently aren’t available because of the way buildings were constructed 50-100 years ago. The current buildings don’t have enough electrical outlets and/or power available for students to operate computers and often Wi-Fi signals can’t get through the walls because of the materials that were used.  Today’s students need to be able to learn using tools that their peers in other schools have access to so that they aren’t behind when they go off to college or enter the workforce. A good education system is one of the important pieces of infrastructure that families and businesses look at when they consider moving to, or remaining in, a community. Many of the facilities owned by the Coos Bay School District are a detriment to that recruiting and retaining because of their condition, inability to utilize current technology and basic safety for the students. Our community needs to invest in those facilities by passing this bond which makes a statement that we believe in our community and the future of our children. We urge you to vote YES on Coos County Measure 6-166. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, professional business organization made up of the Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston communities. The Chamber works for a healthy economic climate of good jobs, more customers and efficient government. The Chamber’s strength lies in the number and diversity of its membership. With over 580 members strong representing every aspect of this area’s economy, we use their vast collective experiences and energy to make a positive difference in our community.