Vote “Yes” in Bond Election

Posted on | September 29, 2009 |

Catherine Mayorga

It’s officially autumn. Leaves are beginning to fall, football teams are huddling, and election campaign signs have been pounded into the ground.

One of immediate concern to Tempe is that of the Tempe Elementary School District’s Nov. 3, $77 million bond election. The Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has voted to support the bond.

In 2003, the district formed a Long Range Facilities Committee that studied its facilities and building standards. The committee’s focus was on priorities such as small schools and small class sizes, condition of existing facilities, educational programs having their own space, equity among schools across the district and the elimination of portable buildings.

The findings showed that schools needed major renovation. Critical maintenance challenges were revealed including roof repairs, mechanical system repairs, plumbing problems and the need to update technology in the classrooms.  Although these types of projects typically should be paid from Arizona’s Building Renewal Fund, the state has not fully funded the formula for several years.

TD#3’s Governing Board called this bond election because they are committed to providing our children with the very best education possible. 

In today’s global marketplace our children are competing internationally and economic conditions have made it clear that we can no longer afford to wait until the Building Renewal Fund appropriately funds the district.

To continue to top the charts among our sister cities that surround us, we need to ensure that our students have the means to be the best they can be. 

By voting yes for the TD#3 Bond Election, we believe that we are putting our money where our mouth is.  Let’s keep our students among the best, above the rest. 

By Catherine Mayorga, Vice President of Public Affairs. Contact Ms. Mayorga at (480)736-4282 or catherine@tempechamber.org with questions about this or other political issues.

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