Mathews board puts 8.1-mill levy on ballot

BY JORDAN COHEN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

VIENNA — The Mathews Board of Education on Wednesday approved the final resolution placing an 8.1-mill, 37-year levy on the November ballot.

The taxes paid would pay off the $22.5 million, plus interest, the district wants to borrow to build a new kindergarten through 12th grade building. It would replace the district’s four schools, including Mathews High School.

The originally proposed millage of 9.87 mills was reduced because the state is allowing the district to sell $3.2 million of the $22.5 million in bonds at no interest. School officials estimated that the district would have to pay about 5.25 percent interest on other approximately $19 million in bonds.

If voters approve, construction would begin on the current site of Baker Elementary, and the new school should be completed by 2013. However, one of the schools to be replaced, Neal Elementary, might not last that long.

Superintendent Lee Seiple said the building is “deteriorating rapidly” and is looking into closing it after the 2009-10 school year is completed.

Seiple was questioned about the building’s status after two mothers of Neal students, Tracy Grimes and Terrie Liller, both of Vienna, asked about a rumor Neal might close during the current school year—a rumor Seiple denied.

Despite its deteriorating condition, the superintendent said the building is safe.

“I want to make it clear that we will not put your children at risk,” Seiple told the parents. Neal Elementary is nearly 90 years old with a student population of approximately 210.

However, the women said there are “other rumors” surrounding Neal Elementary.

“I’ve heard that one teacher said the school failed the air-quality test,” Grimes said. Seiple called the comment “untrue.” He also said that a potential health risk from a leaking boiler is being corrected.

The superintendent agreed with one of the mother’s comments that the school’s drinking water “tastes bad, and the students won’t drink it.” Seiple said that the water is safe but contains a large amount of sulphur.

“[Neal] is very expensive to maintain, the most expensive in the district,” Seiple said. The superintendent added that he is looking at other locations for alternative classrooms in the 2010 school year including a nearby Methodist Church in the event the decision is made to close Neal permanently.