Important Facts to consider about the 2023 Papillion LaVista Community Schools $129.9 M Special Bond Election
The Papillion La Vista Community Schools has a special election for a $129.9 million school bond scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2023. A list of improvements ranges from a fieldhouse for the Papillion LaVista High School and a PE classroom for Papillion LaVista South High School, updating lighting, finishing kitchens, securing entrances for a few of the buildings, and bulletproof film. The district is marketing the mail-in bond election by claiming “This bond will NOT increase your tax rate!” However, there is limited mention of tax relief.
GENERAL ELECTION HIGHER TURNOUT AND LOWER COSTS:
The Sarpy County Election Commissioner in an email to Ms. Eyman, Communication Director stated “putting a bond issue on a general election ballot is far more cost effective than holding a special election because the political subdivisions split those incurred election costs. Whereas a special election is paid for solely by the political subdivision holding the election.”, “You will see your highest voter turnout, and lower election costs, on a bond issue when it is placed on a regularly scheduled election’s ballot; the General Election having the highest voter turnout.”
QUESTIONS FOR THE PLCS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SUPERINTENDENT:
Why would the Papillion LaVista Community Schools administration not have the $129.9M bond issue in the 2022 General Election or even the 2022 Primary Election (as information, the district paid over $25K for the 2022 primary election)?
Wasn’t the safety and security, the finishing kitchens, the technology, the storage, classroom sizes, and construction of the Monarch Performance Center (fieldhouse), construction of the Titan PE/Flex room, and elementary school construction needed prior to the special bond election date of May 9, 2023?
Why would the district want the taxpayers to incur all the costs of a special election with an estimated cost of $45K to $68K when all the district had to do was add it to the 2022 General election when voter turnout would be higher at a general election?
PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST PRODUCTION FROM THE SARPY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION
On April 24, 2023, Loan Eby submitted public records with questions regarding the PLCS Special Bond election here are the questions and answers:
“Good afternoon, Loan,
Attached to this email are documents that I believe to be responsive to your request for “all records related to the cost and expected voter turnout and the written plan to the Secretary of State for the SCHOOL BOND ELECTION SARPY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0027 pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute 32-952”.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance on this matter.
Respectfully,
Emily A. Ethington
Election Commissioner”
Quotes from the email exchange between the Sarpy County Election Commissioner and the PLCS Communications Director:
“Thank you for your patience as I catch up on emails following the General Election. There are many factors that affect the cost of an election, such as ballot length and costs of supplies. I can tell you that putting a bond issue on a general election ballot is far more cost effective than holding a special election because the political subdivisions split those incurred election costs. Whereas a special election is paid for solely by the political subdivision holding the election.”
“I typically estimate the cost of a special election to range between $1.00 to $1.50 per voter. Looking at Papillion-La Vista School’s current registered voter statistics, you would be looking at anywhere between $45,000 and $68,000 to hold a special bond election.”
“The cost estimate of $45,000 to $68,000 to hold a special school bond
election would be for both. Opening the polling sites for a special election would put your costs closer to the $1.50 per voter and there would most likely be a lower voter turnout than the mail-in special election that would cost closer to $1.00 per voter. You will see your highest voter turnout, and lower election costs, on a bond issue when it is placed on a regularly scheduled election’s ballot; the General Election having the highest voter turnout.”
Elementary Projects = $56.9 million
New Elementary School = $27.1 million
Middle School Projects = $21.2 million
High School Projects = $13 million
New land purchases = $5.7 million
Technology Infrastructure = $1 million
YATP project = $5 million
Technology Infrastructure: $1 million
Papillion LaVista Community Schools received $2,953,932 in ESSER III ARP funding. The PLCS GEPA Statement shows part of the ESSER III funds will be used for technology. Why would the district add $1 million for technology when the district have $1 million list on bond AND use ESSER III funds for technology?
Elementary Projects= $56.9 million
GENERAL FUND:The school district has outlined various improvements that should have been updated using the Nebraska Department of Education General Fund and not a Special Bond Election. For example, a communication was sent from the principal of Papillion Middle School stating “Lastly, while we take great pride in keeping our school clean and presentable, we are in need of general updates. Some of our classrooms need updated cabinets, paint, flooring and energy efficient lighting.” Standard updates such as painting or updating cabinets, paint, flooring and light bulbs should not be included in a bond election when standard maintenance activity can be funded in the General Fund.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
“Safety and security improvements are a huge part of this Bond Issue
Learn more about what getting a "secure entrance" means for the last five elementary schools, in addition to what other safety and security updates are included in the bond issue!”
In the 2018 Bond, SAFETY and SECURITY were listed and the administration built a field house called the Titan Performance Center instead. In May of 2021, Ryan Larson walked out of LaVista West Elementary School and has not been found. The district seems to have not focused on safety and a “state of art performance center” in the 2018 bond. From public records requests, the superintendent sent a text message to the then school board president stating “I think we offer Patti to put the Monarch Perf Center on next bond in 2-3 years and commit to supporting it. But not now.”
What guarantee can the district give to ensure this will not happen again if the bond passes?
New Elementary School: $27.1 million
The district is claiming “PLCS Holds Steady Growth for Past 30 Years
PLCS has grown steadily over the past 30 years. During COVID in 2020 the enrollment for the district dipped as many families chose to homeschool and not to send students to public schools. That slight decrease in enrollment has provided PLCS breathing room to prepare for future growth, primarily at the elementary level.” The following chart indicates a decline in enrollment for K-6. Why would the district's $27.1 million construction of a new elementary school and not consider changing the boundaries? What if the district’s growth assumptions are wrong?
New Land purchases: $5.7 million
In 2018 Bond, the district purchased land for a new high school and for a new elementary school. Enrollment for the district has remained flat over the last 5 years. At least two school board members have repeatedly stated “we can always sell the land”.
