I still can’t support CR Schools’ bond issue

I was against the upcoming bond issue when the proposed middle school was a part of it. After that component was dropped, I tried really hard to support the remaining projects. In and of themselves they are all needed.

With the fiscal mismanagement of this administration, I just cannot get behind the bond issue. I am not against the kids or schools, just the bond issue solely from the perspective of managing the projects/revenue.

Support could possibly happen with these additions to the bond issue:

1. While we are paying for this bond issue, no further bond issues can come before the voters (I have heard talk of a follow up bond issue in a few years).

2. Lets take the "savings" and put it directly against the bond. This would reduce it from 20 years to about 14 … if the savings are truly there as reported. All of the savings would be calculated and shared with the community.

3 A citizens oversight group including a lawyer, a developer, an accountant and three other citizens is established to watch over spending/cost overruns and report to the community.

A consultant was recently engaged to reverse the common thread of this administration not having transparency and having trust issues so asking for these inclusions allows the administration to get what they feel they need while the community has a safety net of sorts. Without this, there is no chance that I can support the bond issue.

Jeff Palmer

Cedar Rapids