By CAROL A. CLARK
Publisher
Los Alamos Daily Post
There is an important Bond Election underway for Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) that we at the Post believe will benefit K-12 students, teachers and the community for years to come. We encourage residents to support this bond.
Passage of this General Obligation Bond will not increase the local tax rate but what it will do is allow the schools to reach the goal of raising $30 million for much needed building projects. These projects include completing construction at Pinon and Chamisa elementary schools in White Rock, along with repairs, upgrades and improvements needed at every school in the district.
Superintendent Jennifer Guy has explained that the White Rock schools have serious structural issues and are approaching the time they will no longer be usable. Rebuilding these schools is critical, she said. She thanked the New Mexico Public School Capital Outlay Council for its support and confidence in Los Alamos voters, and said this is a great opportunity to leverage state funding to meet the needs of our children. She added that these two schools will meet a variety of community needs as well including providing extra gym and recreational spaces for community use.
In speaking about the Capital Outlay Council’s support and confidence, Guy is referring to the $35 million in supplemental funding the State of New Mexico has awarded LAPS for construction of those schools – but LAPS is only able to accept that funding if the community passes the bond this election cycle.
While the school district receives local, state and federal funding for operations, grants and instructional programs, it cannot use those funds for buildings. Only money raised by GO Bonds is allowed to be used to build buildings, remodel, furnish schools and improve school grounds.
Through the years the community has supported school bonds, which has allowed LAPS to complete major renovations at Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos Middle School, Aspen Elementary, Barranca Mesa Elementary and Mountain Elementary, and Sullivan Field.
Voting in favor of the GO Bond now on the ballot will continue that strong tradition of support this community has shown for Los Alamos Public Schools, its students and teachers.
Early voting is underway and Election Day is Nov. 7. For more election information, click here.
