I disagree with Jerry Miles’ suggestions that the proceeds from the sale of unneeded schools sites should be used for a new auditorium.

First, there is nothing wrong with the auditorium we have. Next, since the high school was built in 1991, we have lost hundreds of enrolled students. Presently around 1,700 remain and that number is dropping.

John Cutillo is on track about how the proceeds from school site sales should be used. Our bond indebtedness is currently $9.5 million. If all or part of this debt was paid off, taxpayers would save money on their property taxes. Then they would be more receptive to approving new bonds to cover classroom and maintenances expenses.

I have been informed that money from the sale of the sites can be used for “capital improvements” on existing properties. Such as new roofs, parking lots, doors, windows and AC units, etc. By replacing these things there would be no need for money to maintain them for sometime.

The legal opinion I paid for started “the school district shall only use those remaining process for future land purchases approved by the school faculties board or for capital improvements not funded by the school facilities board for any existing or future facility.

I wonder, did Jerry conveniently leave the part of law about capital improvements on existing buildings out of his letter? Jerry’s people also want to use these funds to build an aquatic facility.

I trust the new school board will put the education of our children first. Why would they want to build a pool building or new auditorium when they can’t even keep up with maintenance on existing ones?

Online: “Arizona schools forced to divert funding to repair buildings.” They had to use money set aside for textbooks to do needed repairs.