By CAROL A. CLARK
Publisher
Los Alamos Daily Post
Early and Absentee voting is underway to fill important positions on the Los Alamos School Board and UNM-LA Advisory Board.
Also, a question of much importance on the ballot is the Public Schools Building Act Mill Levy, which we at the Post believe voters should support.
This mill levy has been the primary funding source for nearly two decades for all student technology and major maintenance improvement projects throughout the district. LAPS is asking the community to continue that support through 2027.
Voting to approve the mill levy in this election will not increase property tax rates. (Read the ballot question in its entirety on the Los Alamos County website here.)
What voting yes will do is allow the district to continue erecting, remodeling, making additions to, providing equipment for and furnishing public school buildings and pre-kindergarten classroom facilities.
A yes vote also will allow the district to improve public school grounds, purchase activity vehicles for transporting students, administer projects and make expenditures for facility maintenance software, project management software, purchase and install education technology improvements, including tools used in the educational process that constitute learning and administrative resources, and more.
Former LAPS student Abel M. Chavez shared his support for the continuation of the mill levy. Now a Colorado resident, Chavez is a Los Alamos High School graduate of the Class of 1969 and coordinator of the 50-year reunion held in 2019 in Los Alamos. His class raised more than $12,500 for scholarships and teacher grants as part of its activities. The Class of 1969 partnered with the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee to administer the scholarship fund and select a recipient.
“I am grateful and blessed to have had a superb educational experience in the K through 12 schools in Los Alamos,” Chavez said. “Education is the most important thing we can do for our future workforce and that is thanks to the best teachers, best facilities and best technology. As a community we must be good stewards of our taxpayer dollars and to that extent we must explore the best and highest use of available funds. I encourage the voters of Los Alamos to vote yes for the Public Schools Building Act Mill Levy.”
Local business leaders and organizations also have voiced support for the mill levy including the Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC), which is dedicated to local economic development. I have served on its board since 2018.
LACDC Board President Jim Hall explained the reasons for the LACDC supporting the continuation of the mill levy.
“LACDC’s strong support for the mill levy is based on the schools’ role in attracting and encouraging businesses to Los Alamos by providing an excellent education and diverse programs meeting the needs of students of all social and economic backgrounds,” Hall said.
As a reflection of its support, the LACDC Board of Directors passed the following resolution:
LACDC Board Resolution on the Public Schools Building Act Mill Levy
Whereas continuation of the mill levy of 3.246 for the Los Alamos Public Schools under the Public Schools Building Act provides over $2.5 million annually for improvements to technology, computers, equipment, buildings, and playgrounds to sustain excellent education opportunities for children and youth in Los Alamos; and
Whereas fostering and expanding a vital local economy depends on excellent education to attract, retain, and grow employees and businesses.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the members of the Board of Directors for the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation that we support the continuation of the aforesaid mill levy and encourage approval by voters in the upcoming local election from October 5 to November 2.
When and where to vote:
Registered voters may cast their ballot 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday through Oct. 30 at the Los Alamos Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. and the White Rock Town Hall at 139 Longview Dr. Tuesday, Nov. 2 is Election Day, and the polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building, White Rock Town Hall, Los Alamos Golf Course Community Room, UNM-LA and the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
