School board votes to reinvest excess Edison bond funds

School board votes to reinvest excess Edison bond funds
Specific projects slated for dollars

Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors voted to reinvest $1.1 million in excess bond funds from the Edison construction project as a result of the completed project coming in under budget.

During the June 1 school board meeting, the school board voted to reinvest $500,000 for a radon mitigation plan at Blue Ridge Elementary. As a result of these actions, the school board voted to reinvest all of the $1.6 million in excess bond funds from the Edison construction project.

If the district returned the excess bond money, the average savings to a taxpayer who owns a median priced home in Walla Walla would have been approximately $15 a year over the seven-year time frame.

The School Board agreed to use the excess Edison bond funds for the following projects:
- Addressing traffic issues at Edison Elementary
- A new boiler and energy efficiency and air quality improvements at Pioneer Middle School (this action could leverage additional state grant dollars through state energy efficiency programs)
- Telecommunication improvements at four schools (Green Park, Berney, Pioneer and Garrison)
- Capital improvement to educational facilities to promote student achievement and safety

"This was a tough decision which spurred a great deal of discussion with our stakeholders," School Board President Cindy Meyer said. "But the decision to reinvest these funds came down to doing what was best for kids and their future. We appreciate all those who weighed in on this decision and we will be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars."

Superintendent Rich Carter reported there were several factors leading up to the district coming in under budget on the Edison construction project.

Factors leading to the Edison project coming in under budget include:
- Global recession which led to lower contractor and building supplies costs
- Excellent architectural plans which resulted in fewer construction change orders
- Effective and efficient construction management and project oversight

On February 6, 2007, Walla Walla voters approved the $19.5 million bond to construct a new Edison Elementary bond with a 61 percent yes count. The bond measure ballot language did include provisions to use excess funds for other district capital improvement projects.