by Wayne Adair, Hamilton
The Hamilton School District has asked voters to approve a $49,000,000 bond to fund the construction of a new middle school and the renovation and expansion of the Westview Building, current site of Bitterroot College. The new and improved buildings will house and educate fourth and fifth grades (Westview Building) and grades sixth through eighth in the new facility.
The district emphasizes that the changes are vital to enhance safety for students and provide them with the best education possible. The bond will cost homeowners an additional $85.06 per $100,000 of a home’s market value.
My wife and I are retired, like many of the district’s voters and fully understand how difficult it is to vote to raise property taxes that have already increased so much recently.
We plan to do so because we view this as an investment in the future of the students in the Hamilton School District. Our community needs and deserves a new generation of educated and prepared citizens to be our future doctors, teachers, lawyers, accountants, builders and architects.
Please vote yes on this bond proposal. Ballots must be delivered by May 6 to be counted.
Bill Cavanaugh says
Given the average home price in Hamilton is $518,000, that’s an additional $441 per year on average per tax payer owned home. Insane. $49MM Bond? and it is OK to saddle the taxpayers with 40-50 years of this debt? Take a hike.
Alan says
Agreed.