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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, December 3, 2009 Page 13 Banks school board discusses how to fund facilities projects Banks school board met No- vember 23 to hear presenta- tions regarding pursuit of a bond for facilities projects. After hearing the two presentations, and a report by Pete Edison, chairman of “Facilities Planning Committee3” (FPC3), the board decided not to put a measure on the May ballot. They agreed, however, to ask Rick Raimon, who worked on the previous bond, to work with the FPC3 to attach accurate dollar amounts to proposed capitol improve- ment projects. Board chairman Will Moore outlined the scope of work of a communications consultant pri- or to the presentations. He told the board that the consultant would work with the board and administration to develop a sur- vey to test public response to bond related issues. After con- ducting and analyzing the sur- vey, the consultant would help the board identify strategies for a successful bond. The consult- ant would also craft the bond ti- tle and explanation. To qualify for the May election, the board would have had to adopt a bond resolution, ballot title and explanation no later than March 17. Jeanne Magmer of C&M Communications, the bond consultant hired for last year’s attempt, presented a timeline that required a completed re- view of facilities data and an updated list of proposed bond projects by the end of Decem- ber, in order to conduct a sur- vey in early January. That Ye Olde Dingheiser would have been followed by an informational community meeting in February, then an advocacy group would be formed to pursue passage of the bond. When informed that a review of the facilities data was just beginning, Magmer said she would not recommend that the board attempt the May election, though a community survey should be completed during the school year. Larry Harvey, of Pac West, gave an enthusiastic presenta- tion, stressing that much work needed to be done to develop a clear and consistent message. He agreed that May was too soon to put a measure before voters, but suggested a survey be conducted in September to test interest and support for a November bond. Following the two presenta- tions, the board heard Pete Edison outline the proposed scope of work for FPC3. Edison agreed to Superintendent Jim Foster’s suggestion to include a classified employee and said that he would look for an inter- ested student as well. He told the board he hoped to com- plete the review quickly and be able to make recommendations to the board in January. Citing Magmer’s obvious commitment to a successful bond proposal and her experi- ence in the district and with successful school bond meas- ures in particular, the board agreed by unanimous consen- sus to offer Magmer a contract. C&M Communications will as- sist with public input and infor- mation activities related to the district’s proposed bond elec- tion. The contract, for $5000 (plus expenses), will be paid from the Buxton fund and will not impact the remainder of the school budget. 2009-10 Conversation Project set to go The inaugural 2009–10 sea- son of the Conversation Pro- ject: A New Chautauqua begins in early November 2009, and these free community discus- sions will be offered around the state. The Conversation Pro- ject, which connects Oregoni- ans with public scholars and provocative ideas through idea- driven dialogue, is a program of Oregon Humanities (formerly Oregon Council for the Human- ities). The 2009-10 Conversation Project lineup features seven- teen programs presented by sixteen scholars. This season’s programs span diverse topics, including friendship, mega cities, the future of rural com- munities, media literacy, and reimagining the American prison system. Programs in Washington County from No- vember 5, 2009, through Feb- ruary 27, 2010, are listed be- low. For more information about each program or to view the full events calendar, visit: oregon humanities.org. • The Voters Have Spoken: Oregon’s Controversial Ballot Initiatives, by Jackson Miller (January 5 at 7:00 p.m., Forest Grove City Library, 2114 Pacific Ave., Forest Grove) • Of the People or For the People: Getting the Govern- ment We Deserve, by Jeff Golden (January 17 at 2:00 p.m., Hillsboro Public Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy., Hillsboro) • Friend Me? Notions of Friendship in a Changing World, by Courtney Campbell and Lani Roberts (February 6 at 2:00 p.m., Sherwood Public Library, 22560 SW Pine St., Sherwood) • Slow Learners: Two Hun- dred Years of Unheeded Warn- ings, by Richard Clinton (Feb- ruary 21 at 2:00 p.m., Hillsboro Public Library, 2850 NE Brook- wood Pkwy., Hillsboro). This Year Give a Gift Subscription to The INDEPENDENT Only $20.00 per year. 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