Where is the money? $264,358.95, $257,462.76 and $217,683.86 for a total of $739,504.57. This is the amount given to the Arlington School District in the past three years by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Student Transportation department. According to the law, these yearly funds are only to be used for replacement of the aging buses.
This year’s amount is the $217,683 — the reimbursement dollars decrease as the buses age. But, the amount will increase as the buses are replaced. Basic math tells us that every four years the district has received over $1 million for replacing buses. In the past six years, Arlington School District has received the wanted $1.5 million for the supposed 2016 need. So why does the district have a 28-year old bus? Furthermore, why would the district need the voters to approve a new levy when they get funds for yearly replacement already?
In studying the OSPI website, there are four bus manufacturers contracted to sell to Washington school districts. Buses range in size and equipment for special needs students. The site shows the buses range from $48,000 to $113,000. Why, then, would the district dare ask us for money they have already received? Replacing one half of the bus force all at once is ridiculous. And we know from the last levy failure, the district, I am certain, will ask for another $3 million in 2018-19 for the other half of the fleet!
A honest and proper levy would be one that asks for funds to grow the district’s fleet due to increased student population. This is a “replacement” levy. So apparently the district wants us to replace the money they used elsewhere. Vote no on this administration spending mess.
Bob Steiner
Arlington
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.