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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 William D. Fitch Campaign Ad ige 6 THE BATTALION FRIDAY, APR. 2, 1976 THE CANDIDATE: W. D. Fitch Resident of College Station since 1946 30 years experience in the building business and Subdivision building in College Station Thoroughly dedicated to the continued enhance- ment of our City and its School System RIGHT THE FIRST TIME I had hoped you (the voters) were wrong and was prepared to say to you: "Support this Issue, we all want the same thing, a fine School System and we must be willing to pay this much for it." THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE I walked over every School Site and through or around every building including the Play Fields and repair barns, just as did the C.A.C. in their investigations; as a result: I AM CONVINCED NOW: We Can Have Our Cake Without it "Eating our Lunch" I discovered no reason to doubt the motives and good intentions and dedicated effort by everyone involved: the School Board, the Administration Staff, the Architect and the Citizens Advisory Committee. THE ONLY ERROR, and it is a VERY LARGE ONE lies in the apparent acceptance, without question, of the so- called ESTIMATED COSTS These are two miles high, if we may equate miles with Millions of Dollars. Let me re -name these "estimated costs" as proposed expenditures. There is a lot of difference. Okay, so this is easy to say, but let me be specific in two ways: ONE You could not come with me on my tours, so I have had some photos made and reproduced, a few of which characterize a part of what I saw, with my comments about them. TWO I have copied verbatim, some very pertinent illustrative excerpts from the Citizens Advisory Committee's 69 page report, and made comments regarding these items in the adjacent column to point out the source of my conclusions. SO WHY VOTE FOR ME? As a Trustee of the School District I will: • Respect the decision of the voters as expressed in the Bond Election. • If this issue fails (and you elect me) I will work for a drastically reduced Bond issue to meet immediate needs this year on a priority basis to be set by your Board and your School Admin- istration. • Other recommended construction programs will be listed separately (in order of priority) for your consideration. • I will remain available to the voters, students and teachers for their comments, complaints, or congratulations (as the case may be) during my year of service, and strive to set policies in accordance with the will of the voters and see that such policies are put into effect by our staff. • If this Bond issue is approved (which I doubt) and which I cannot recommend to you because I have confirmed to my own satisfaction the doubts of the 600 voters who rejected the smaller Bond; then I will work with all involved parties to see that the approved programs are carried out in the MOST ECONOMICAL manner. I am more firmly convinced than ever that the "Proposed Expenditures" for buildings are very fat and fluffy, and we can have all space needed for less than $4,000,000. I Solicit Your Support and Influence to Elect Me as Your: TRUSTEE PLACE FOUR I have not cluttered your yard with signs nor harrassed you at your door. But I am just as sincere as any of those candidates who have. I hope you will take the time to read all of this information before you vote and then VOTE!!! Why am I running for School Board Trustee, Place 4? 1. THE FIRST BOND PROPOSAL FAILED for $5,150,000.00. 2. I believe that the voters will seldom make a mistake if they are fully informed. 3. I felt it necessary that someone outside the present Board and Administration thoroughly look into the entire situation to see what if anything was the reason for the public rejection of this issue. This is the upstairs "men's room" at the High School, off the hall by the gym. William Bausse (the candidate's son) and a young man named Harwell said it had been this way since last year. :M This two- classroom kindergarten building is marked for demolition, being a part of the total of the 5 buildings (26 class- rooms) which are to be demolished under the new heading of "SITE IMPROVEMENTS" as set out in Item 28 of the C.A.C. report attached. I talked with the kindergarten teacher in this building one Sunday afternoon, who told me it was the best workable space she had ever had for teaching; she also commented on the good work of the parents in buiding the playground "tunnel" etc. and how much the kids loved it. A 12 classroom building now in use for 3rd and 4th grades under "Special Ed." is also to be "SITE IMPROVED." These lads are enjoying a good wholesome recreation after school in a part of the High School cafeteria, next to the area for the proposed "Brown Bag" addition to the cafeteria. I was further determined to see for myself what would cause dedicated people like O. C. Cooper and Lambert Wilkes to resign and/or decide not to run for re- election. I was encouraged to make this effort by the many people to whom I expressed these concerns, but who said they were too busy or did not want to get "involved in the problems." THE FAILURE OF A SCHOOL BOND IN OUR CITY IS A SERIOUS MATTER It is dividing the fine people of this district when we should all be working together for our mutual benefit and for that of our Schools. YOU ARE ALL CONCERNED whether you like it or not. We all want the same thing; the best possible School System that we can afford, and I want everyone to want to support it fully. HERE IS WHAT I FOUND OUT: In the weeks since I entered this race, I have plowed through hun- dreds of pages of original proposals, amended and revised propos- als, talked for hours with everyone who would discuss the Bond issue; the present Chairman who is choosing not to run, the re- signed member, other members, other candidates, teachers, parents, older citizens, rural citizens, students, school bus drivers, bankers, businessmen and members of the Citizens Advisory Committee, and other prominent civic leaders. 11!, t 3` 7 �4 This is a view of one of the older six classroom buildings now being used for storage and maintenance work. The present Bond issue proposes to demolish the building; I say it can be restored and used, but the maintenance personnel certainly need a more adequate place for storage and working. E; i This room in the Board Room Building is part of the excellent printing, reproduction and photographic lab, which is utilized by the school to print their various publications prepared by the Public Relations division of the Administration headed by Mrs. Crittenden, and her assistant Mrs. Hopson. They were pre- paring the schedules for the Adult Education Programs when I was there. Mr. Greenwalt, who heads the "Special Ed." division and his secretary, Mrs. Beamer are also in the building. I hope, if I am elected trustee, to be able to use these facilities for future information output to school patrons. YEARS 191-9 — 70 — 7 — 72 — 73 — 74 — 7S — TOTAL ENQOLL MEfVT 2243 2,311 2,51(0 2,1051 2,810 2, 9/9 2,985 10TAL $1.37 $1.92 $ 2.13 $ 2.15 2.5? 1 2.92 a 3.9(" ISUDGE' (.1L.) ANNUAL COST S ��C> 5 832 5 8 /g $ 8/0 6 920 $1090 $ 1325 - PER STUDENT THE AtaMF FlWiZES CAME P%M Tt+C SCFIOa 4bmlNI5TRATIp4 OFFICES 300 'This graphic representation of the above figures shows sharply rising costs during the last 2 years. but does not show why 'The rate of increase of students actually declined slightly. 4, Vr 0 3,0 j LME:N £ L ENRO / LU v L d W �0i � BUOGEr S 2,d 5' / 700 (.00 19`9 7p `7/ `7Z 173 `7Lf `75 SCHOOL YtAR5 Remarks: During the past 2 years the increase in percentage has been: Students increased 7 %; Expenditures increased 55 %. Some of this can be accounted for by inflation and salary raises. The rest must be presumed to be a result of radically increased new programs and administrative overhead, which is quite typical of all government organizations in which the administration is enthusi- astic and actively promoting new programs. This will always occur in the absence of controlling limits set by a policy making Board and may be accelerated if encouraged by the Board. Paid for by W. D. Fitch, 1712 Glade, College Station, Texas its. 11��1.11. 11111111. ��11. �1. �l. ll�. ll.`. �J. ���J. �. i- J.•1�����- ,k�����������1r_��.� -fir, ii�.ii. iii. i.. i. i. iiiiii. ii. iiiiiiiiiJ. J. ���., LJ. l-, �. �J.. �. ��- ������- ,4��,k�������- �4r��1ie-� -ter, 1 2 oo F z Q� Q D 1100 a- 1000 w / 0 � v $ J 90 o Z L STATE Q AVERAGE J Soo O H Bryan - College Station, Texas Friday, April 2, 1976 Page 7A SO WHAT NOW?? Let us back up and start over once more with a program with which we can all be comfortable. SO WHY VOTE FOR ME? As a Trustee of the School District I will: * Respect the decision of the voters as expressed In the Bond Election. see that such policies are put into effect by • If this issue fails (and you elect me) I will work our staff. for a drastically reduced Bond issue to meet * If this Bond issue is approved (which 1 doubt) Immediate reeds this year on a priority basis and which I cannot recommend to you because to be set by your Board and your School Ad- I have confirmed to my own satisfaction the ministration. doubts of the 600 voters who rejected the • Other recommended construction programs smaller Bond; then I will work with all involved will be listed separately (in order of priority) Parties to see that the approved programs for your consideration. are carried out in the MOST ECONOMICAL • I will remain available to the voters, students manner. and teachers for their comments, complaints, Iam more firmly convinced than ever that the � or congratulations (as the case may be) during Proposed Expenditures" for buildings are my year of service, and strive to set policies very fat and fluffy, and we can have all the In accordance with the will of the voters and space we need for less than $4,000,000. EXCERPTS FROM THE 69 PAGE REPORT OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE A. The first several meetings of the Citizens Advisory Committee (C.A.C.) were devoted to hearing presentations by the Administrative staff and the architect about the needs of the system and the proposed building program. Then, for the purpose of gaining some close -up knowledge of these needs and for providing the whole committee some familiar- ization with them, the Committee divided into sub - committees campus by campus. B. The encompassing and final recommendation to the Board of Education was a proposed bond election total of $6,428,100.00 which includes all the necessary buildings requirements to house the operational and proposed educational program for all students in all schools at all levels. It is understood that passage and implementation of this bond election would serve the building needs of this community including projected student population Increases through the year 1980. 4, 4 3, N 0 f• � WJ O M 4 2, A & M CONSOLIDATED I.S.D. Enrollment and Operation rnctc fnr PARE 7 Vnarc- YEARS 190 — 70 _ 71 — 72 —. 73 .— 74 -- 75' —7 TOTAL EN ROLL MEN 2,243 7311 25 /6 2,6 1 28/0 � 2919 � z i 9€98-5- TOTAL x /.37 "1,92, $ 2.13 415 X 2.59 BU DCET jz�o report - "Proposed Building Program. Costs Esti- ") ANNUAL COST 3 6 10 1 &32 8/¢ &10 $92.0 ¢ 1090 �13Z5 PER STUDENT 1st:Fred Klatt programs and administrative overhead, which is quite typical of all Dempsey Seastrunk 2nd: George Kunze government organizations in which the administration is enthusiastic and actives g programs. y promoting new Both sub- committees presented their findings t0 Vote: Motion carried unanimously. The above figures came from ti sdhool ladministra{tion lo�fices. - I * This graphic.represe .t �_isin : of the . o above figures shows she ply cos s J during the last 2 years,! but1does inot y �- show why. � _ : _. I: I I too I The rate of inc�ease of s den s as uallyl u t 0 declined tly ' � Q 4 1100 W o -- -- -,. 3 000 - - - . _.... - i 100 z Z - G N o ate ** I Z I_ r` are I� P� ! F 800 L 0 .Co a 000 / - i_ I 700 i 1969 ' 70 31 2. Cost Estimates Committee (authors MIDDLE SCHOOL - 5 &6 1 I „ III ; ih i D of extensive 1 000 jz�o report - "Proposed Building Program. Costs Esti- ") 19. MOTION: That we accept the figure of $19 ,200 for heating and air-conditionin in the Main Build- g Remarks: During the past 2 years the increase in percentage has been: Students increased 7 %; Expenditures increased 55 %. mates of Projects Started by Year Some of this can be accounted for by inflation and salary raises. Spencer Buchanan Ong. The rest must be presumed to be a result of radically increased new George Kunze 1st:Fred Klatt programs and administrative overhead, which is quite typical of all Dempsey Seastrunk 2nd: George Kunze government organizations in which the administration is enthusiastic and actives g programs. y promoting new Both sub- committees presented their findings t0 Vote: Motion carried unanimously. This will always occur in the absence of controlling limits set this Committee. Drainage System by a policy making Board and may be accelerated if encour aed b 4 y the 3. MOTION: That we recommend that the Board 24. MOTION: That we improve rove the drainag as Board. of Education study the acquisition of a future s hown ($57,700. 00) sc hool site. sc hool 1 st: Spencer Buchanan p M Y COMMENTS 1 st: Wes Harper 2nd: George Kunze • 2nd: Lonnie Jones Vote: Motion Failed. You, the Voters, owe the people of the Citizens Advisory Committee a big "Thank You" Vote: Motion carried unanimously 25. MOTION: That we recommend the Board find for discovering that many of our present buildings suffer from neglect and need im- HIGH SCHOOL an alternate system for correcting the drainage mediate repairs Pa rs and maintenance to preserve them for continued use. See Item 39 (op- 1. Vocational Building system at a much reduced cost. posite & below) 7. MOTION: That we accept the $1,545,600 (year 1st: Benny Leeth 1 did not find a single building that was not now being put to good use and fully suit - 1977) for the Vocational Building. 2nd: Lonnie Jones able for continued Use with repairs in the amount of 20% of the cost of New Buildings. 1 st: Bill Ledbetter Vote: Motion carried unanimously The C.A.C. added money for this purpose. 2nd: Charles McCandless FORGET THE BULLDOZERS Vote: Motion carried with 14 ayes p 28. MOTION: That we accep the recommended amount of $1,785,600 for the Middle School 5&6 and save over a million dollars worth of buildings for continued use. l i. MOTION That we delete the parking ($126,000 as presented. Item 2: In carefully reviewing the "Cost Estimates" of the earlier proposals and those and he in t C.A.C. report, it appeared to me that while the C.A.C. carefully sorted out Items, I st: Lonnie Jones 1st: L y 1 st: Elliot Bra they would delete or add; they retained the original "Cost Estimate" of the retained 2nd: Fred Klatt 2nd: George Kunze items without reviewing the estimates independently. 9 P y• 1 must add that it is possible to Amendment: That we delete the $152,000 Amendment: Delete the word "demoh- spend the amounts listed as costs, but not necessarily by any means. for existing parking and leave the $126,000 tion" placing the razing of 5 buildings and Item 7: From memos marked in the margin by someone, the Vocational Building seems for parking at the Vocational Building. the relocation of one building under "site to be proposed as 40,000 square feet; this comes to about $38.00 per sq. ft. I found simi- 1st: Walter Dorsey improvements" making the amount for lar facilities on the A &M Campus which I am certain were constructed for half that 2nd: Elliott Bray site improvements $168,000.00 1st: Stewart Brown price. Item 11: The parking lot which was kept in the report for $126,000.00 has the area of Vote: Amendment passed with 8 Ayes 2nd: George Kunze a out 1,000 linear feet of city street. In comparing bids for parking lots and streets b Y P 9 P 9 Y and 6 Noes. Vote: Motion carried with 8 Ayes and 4 local paving contractors, I find that this lot could be build for less than $40,000.00. MOTION AS AMENDED: That we delete the Noes. Ite Speaks for itself. parking in the amount of $152,000. VOTE: Motion carried with 10 Ayes and 3 Vote: Motion as amended, carried with 9 Ayes Item 19: See Photo of duct work installed in the building where the board room is now. This bul lding was planned for destruction and replacement in the original $7.2 million Noes; 1 Abstention and 2 Noes. proposal but was saved along with the old Middle School gym by action of the Board in reducing the proposal to $5,150,000.00. 1 was told that this new system was not working SOUTH KNOLL 1. P.E. facility 33. MOTION: That we recommend $6,428,100 as because the City had not connected the electrical system. I could not determine: what is necessary for the development of the A. Why it was being air- conditioned if also considered for demolition. 13. MOTION: That we accept the P.E. facility, school in this district, however, there is a con- B. Why the City would not connect the electricity; it's getting close to summer. changing the name to "Multi- Purpose and Class- ". census on the part of this committee that it is too C. How did it get paid for if it is part of a proposed (but not passed) Bond Issue. room Facility e. large. Item 24: $57,700.00 for drainage. The C.A.C. obviously needed no professional advice to 1 st: Vi Burke Bill Ledbetter zap tom: This equals the approximate cost for an eight acre subdivision (exclusive of 2nd: Alvin Jones 2nd: Walter Dorsey land) complete with: Streets, water, sewer, drainage, and street lights. Amendment: That we include the Vote: Motion failed with 2 Ayes, 12 Noes. tern 25: Good for the C.A.C. $25,000.00 for air- conditioning (1) MOTION: That the Citizens Advisory Committee Item 28: Speaks for itself, but who will know what site improvement means In the final P 1st: Bill Ledbetter 2nd: Charles McCandless recommend to the Board the approved amount of real? P em 33, 34: Take your pick. Amendment: That we delete the covered $6,428,100 as the amount required to meet the needs for the District Building Program. tern 39: See first paragraph above; AMEN. walk from the P.E. facility. (2) 1st: Benny Leeth 1st: Walter Dorsey 2nd: Elliott Bray 2nd: Alvin Jones Vote: (2) Amendment to delete covered Vote: Motion carried with 14 Ayes, 0 Noes. walked passed with 8 Ayes and 6 1 solicit your support and influence to elect me as your: Noes. (Member previously not 39. MOTION: That we recommend a strong main- at TRUSTEE PLACE FOUR present for roll call, then present, tenance program. (Text of motion not provided now absent) (1) Amendment to in- time of printing by Fred Klott) * I have not cluttered your yard with signs nor elude air - conditioning passed with 10 Ayes and 4 Noes. (Member pre- 1st: Fred Klatt 2nd: Spencer Buchanan harassed you at your door. But 1 am just as viously not present for roll call, Vote: Motion carried with 14 Ayes, 0 Noes. sincere as any of those candidates who have. I hope you will take the time to read all of then present, now absent) this information before you vote and then MOTION AS AMENDED: That we accept the P. E. VOTEIII facility, changing the name to "Multi- Purpose and Classroom Facility ", deleting the covered a : W D Fitch Slgned walk, and adding the $25 ,000.00 for air- condi- tioning. VOTE: Motion carried with 11 Ayes and 3 Noes. Heating and Air- Conditioning in Main Building Bryan - College Station, Texas Friday, April 2, 1976 Page 1A SO WHAT NOW ?? Let us back up and start over once more with a program with which we can all be comfortable. SO WHY VOTE FOR ME? As a Trustee of the School District I will: • Respect the decision of the voters as expressed In the Bond Election. see that such policies are put into effect by • If this Issue fails (and you elect me) I will work our staff. for a drastically reduced Bond issue to meet * If this Bond issue is approved (which I doubt) Immediate reeds this year on a priority basis and which I cannot recommend to you because to be set by your Board and your School Ad- I have confirmed to my own satisfaction the ministration. doubts of the 600 voters who rejected the • Other recommended construction programs smaller Bond; then I will work with all involved will be listed separately (in order of priority) parties to see that the approved programs for your consideration. are carried out in the MOST ECONOMICAL • I will remain available to the voters, students manner. and teachers for their comments, complaints, � Iam more firmly convinced than ever that the or congratulations (as the case may be) during proposed Expenditures" for buildings are my year of service, and strive to set policies very fat and fluffy, and we can have all the In accordance with the will of the voters and space we need for less than $4,000,000. EXCERPTS FROM THE 69 PAGE REPORT OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE A. The first several meetings of the Citizens Advisory Committee (C.A.C.) were devoted to hearing presentations by the Administrative staff and the architect about the needs of the system and the proposed building program. Then, for the purpose of gaining some close -up knowledge of these needs and for providing the whole committee some familiar- ization with them, the Committee divided into sub - committees campus by campus. B. The encompassing and final recommendation to the Board of Education was a proposed bond election total of $6,428,100.00 which includes all the necessary buildings requirements to house the operational and proposed educational program for all students in all schools at all levels. It is understood that passage and implementation of this bond election would serve the building needs of this community including projected student population Increases through the year 1980. MIDDLE SCHOOL - 5 &6 2. Cost Estimates Committee (authors of extensive 19 MOTION: That we accept the figure of $19,200 report - "Proposed Building Program! Costs Esti- mates of Projects Started by Year ") for heating and air - conditioning in the Main Build- Spencer Buchanan ing 1 st: Fred Klatt George Kunze 2nd: George Kunze Dempsey Seastrunk g Both sub - committees presented their findings to Vote: Motion carried unanimously. t Drainage System his Committee. 3. MOTION: That we recommend that the Board 24. MOTION: That we improve the drainage as of Education study the acquisition of a future shown ($57,700.00) 1 A & M CONSOLIDATED Z.S.D. Enrollment and oneratinn rncfc fnr Pact- 7 Vcn 4, * 3, N 2 2 F J Ill J O E $ 2, YEARS 1'110 — 70 71 — 72 — 73 — 74 — 7S —7 TOTAL ENRo LMEN ,2,243 ,311 2,5/6 2,65 2,810 2,9/9 z ,9AS * This graph re tatis� above figures show; sha . 1 during the last 2 ears, but show why. i_._.I * The rate o inc ense o> s declined 5 1.37 d /. ?Z $ 2.13 415 4 2.5 X 3.18 $ 3.94 Bo D4ET M ,�. o a out 1,000 linear feet of city street. In comparing bids for parking lots and streets by Vote: Motion carried with 8 Ayes and 4 local paving contractors, I find that this lot could be build for less than $40,000.00. Noes. Item 13• Speaks for itself. ._ Vote: Motion as amended, carried with 9 Ayes ANNUAL COST '410 b 3Z $ 8/¢ L 4 ;10 $ 9z.O Y to ?o 1,3 Z,5 PER STUDENT The above figures came Erom the sdhool administration offices. in the C.A.C. report, it appeared to me that while the C.A.C. carefully sorted out Items, 1st: Elliot Bray 4 13 00 2nd: George Kunze items without reviewing the estimates independently. I must add that it is possible to Amendment: Delete the word "demoli- * This graph re tatis� above figures show; sha . 1 during the last 2 ears, but show why. i_._.I * The rate o inc ense o> s declined o I th%; . isin os d s I h (- I � Itoo � uallp, 4 1 p oes ; .i. den not s as improvements" making the amount for lar facilities on the A&M Campus which I am certain were constructed for half that site improvements $168,000.00 1 st: Stewart Brown price. Item 11: The parking lot which was kept in the report for $126,000.00 has the area of o 000 I _ - I . -. V 1 100 I I 0 0 3,000 -- - -.: -- { i , z E MT �. z - I e ** W e ra , I a J v{ P 0 ., i / i Sap 1- l i J Oc"w i i ro-rAL- i 1969 ' 7,Q ' �I '.'12 3 I ;'I 41 S '76 1 DOO f a .hddr ��rg l i t I ,, l l L ' Remarks: During the past 2 years the increase in percentage has n: Students increased 7%; Expenditures increased 55 %. Some of this can be accounted for by inflation and salary raises. The rest must be presumed to be a result of radically increased new programs and administrative overhead, which is quite typical of all government organizations in which the administration is enthusiastic and actively promoting new programs. This will always occur in the absence of controlling limits set by a policy making Board and may be accelerated if encourgaed by the Board. school site. st. S p enter Buchanan M Y COMMENTS 1 st: Wes Harper 2nd: George Kunze 2nd: Lonnie Jones Vote: Motion Failed. You, the Voters, owe the people of the Citizens Advisory Committee a big "Thank You" Vote: Motion carried unanimously 25. MOTION: That we recommend the Board find for discovering that many of our present buildings suffer from neglect and need im- HIGH SCHOOL an alternate system for correcting the drainage mediate repairs and maintenance to preserve them for continued use. See Item 39 (op- 1. Vocational Building system at a much reduced cost. posite & below) 7. MOTION: That we accept the $1,545,600 (year 1st: Benny Leeth I did not find a single building that was not now being put to good use and fully suit - 1977) for the Vocational Building. 2nd: Lonnie Jones able for continued use with repairs in the amount of 20% of the cost of New Buildings. 1st: Bill Ledbetter Vote: Motion carried unanimously The C.A.C. added money for this purpose. 2nd: Charles McCandless 28. MOTION: That we accept the recommended FORGET THE BULLDOZERS Vote: Motion carried with 14 ayes p and save over a million dollars worth of buildings for continued use 11. MOTION That we delete the parking ($126,000 and $152,000) 1 st: Lonnie Jones 2nd: Fred Klatt Amendment: That we delete the $152,000 for existing parking and leave the $126,000 for parking at the Vocational Building. 1st: Walter Dorsey 2nd: Elliott Bray Vote: Amendment passed with 8 Ayes and 6 Noes. MOTION AS AMENDED: That we delete the parking in the amount of $152,000. VOTE: Motion carried with 10 Ayes and 3 Noes; 1 Abstention amount of $1,785,600 for the Middle School 5 66 as presented. Item In carefully reviewing the "Cost Estimates" of the earlier proposals and those in the C.A.C. report, it appeared to me that while the C.A.C. carefully sorted out Items, 1st: Elliot Bray they would delete or add; they retained the original "Cost Estimate" of the retained 2nd: George Kunze items without reviewing the estimates independently. I must add that it is possible to Amendment: Delete the word "demoli- spend the amounts listed as costs, but not necessarily by any means. tion" placing the razing of 5 buildings and It e� From memos marked in the margin by someone, the Vocational Building seems the relocation of one building under "site to be proposed as 40,000 square feet; this comes to about $38.00 per sq. ft. I found simi- improvements" making the amount for lar facilities on the A&M Campus which I am certain were constructed for half that site improvements $168,000.00 1 st: Stewart Brown price. Item 11: The parking lot which was kept in the report for $126,000.00 has the area of 2nd: George Kunze a out 1,000 linear feet of city street. In comparing bids for parking lots and streets by Vote: Motion carried with 8 Ayes and 4 local paving contractors, I find that this lot could be build for less than $40,000.00. Noes. Item 13• Speaks for itself. ._ Vote: Motion as amended, carried with 9 Ayes Item 19• See Photo of duct work installed in the building where the board room is now. 1 building and 2 Noes. T his was planned for destruction and replacement in the original $7.2 million proposal but was saved along with the old Middle School gym by action of the Board in reducing the proposal to $5 150 000.00 I was told that this new s stem t ki • y was no wor ng SOUTH KNOLL because the City had not connected the electrical system. I could not determine: 1. P.E. facility 33. MOTION: That we recommend $6,428,100 as A. Why it was being air - conditioned if also considered for demolition. 13. MOTION: That we accept the P.E. facility, what is necessary for the development of the B. Why the City would not connect the electricity; it's getting close to summer. changing the name to "Multi Purpose and Class school in this district, however, there is a con census on the part of this committee that it is too C. How did it get paid for if it is part of a proposed (but not passed) Bond issue. room Facility large. Item 24: $57,700.00 for drainage. The C.A.C. obviously needed no professional advice to 1st: Vi Burke 1st: Bill Ledbetter zap this: This equals the approximate cost for an eight acre subdivision (exclusive of 2nd: Alvin Jones land) complete with: Streets, water, sewer, drainage, and street lights. Amendment: That we include the 2nd: Walter Dorsey Vote: Motion failed with 2 Ayes, 12 Noes. tem 25: Good for the C.A.C. $25,000.00 for air- conditioning (1) Item 28: Speaks for itself, but who will know what site improvement means in the final 1st: Bi II Ledbetter MOTION: That the Citizens Advisory Committee pro 2nd: Charles McCandless recommend to the Board the approved amount of em 33, 34: Take your pick. Amendment: That we delete the covered $6, 428,100 as the amount required to meet the walk from the P.E. facility. (2) needs for the District Building Program. rem 39: See first paragraph above; AMEN. 1 st: Walter Dorsey 1 st: Benny Leeth 2nd: Alvin Jones 2nd: Elliott Bray Vote: (2) Amendment to delete covered Vote: Motion carried with 14 Ayes, 0 Noes. walked passed with 8 Ayes and 6 Noes. (Member previously not 39. MOTION: That we recommend a strong main - present for roll call, then present, tenance program. (Text of motion not provided at now absent) (1) Amendment to in- time of printing by Fred Klatt) clude air - conditioning passed with 1 st: Fred Klatt 10 Ayes and 4 Noes. (Member pre- 2nd: Spencer Buchanan viously not present for roll call, Vote: Motion carried with 14 Ayes, 0 Noes. then present, now absent) MOTION AS AMENDED: That we accept the P. E. facility, changing the name to "Multi- Purpose and Classroom Facility ", deleting the covered walk, and adding the $25,000.00 for air- condi- tioning. VOTE: Motion carried with 11 Ayes and 3 Noes. Heating and Air - Conditioning in Main Building solicit your support and influence to elect me as your: TRUSTEE PLACE FOUR * I have not cluttered your yard with signs nor harassed you at your door. But 1 am just as sincere as any of those candidates who have. 1 hope you will take the time to read all of this information before you vote and then VOTE111 Signed: T.D. Fitch Page 6A Why am Place 4? THE CANDIDATE: W. D. Fitch Resident of College Station since 1946 30 years experience in the building business and Subdivision building in College Station Thoroughly dedicated to the continued enhance- ment of our City and its School System I running for School Board Trustee, 1. THE FIRST BOND PROPOSAL FAILED for $5,150,000.00. 2. 1 believe that the voters will seldom make a mistake if they are fully informed. 3. 1 felt it necessary that someone outside the present Board and Administra- tion thoroughly look into the entire situation to see what, if anything, was the reason for the public rejection of this issue. I was further determined to see for myself what would cause dedicated people like O.C. Cooper and Lambert Wilkes to resign and /or decide not to run for re- election. I was encouraged to make this effort by the many people to whom I expres- sed these concerns, but who said they were too busy or did not want to get "involved in the problems." THE FAILURE OF A SCHOOL BOND IN OUR CITY IS A SERIOUS MATTER Friday, April 2, 1976 It is dividing the fine people of this district when we should all be working to- gether for our mutual benefit and for that of our Schools. YOU ARE ALL CONCERNED whether you like it or not. We all want the same thing; the best possible School System that we can af- ford, and I want everyone to feel able to support it fully. HERE IS WHAT 1 FOUND OUT: In the weeks since I entered this race % I have plowed through hundreds of pages of original proposals, amended and revised proposals, talked for hours with everyone who would discuss the Bond issue; the present Chairman who is not choosing to run, the resigned member, other members, other candidates, teachers, parents, older citizens, rural citizens, students, school bus drivers, bankers, businessmen and members of the Citizens Advisory Committee, and other prominent civic leaders. If each of you, the Voters, had spent this much effort and time you would have only determined that you were: RIGHT THE FIRST TIME I had hoped you were wrong and was prepared to say to you: "Support this Issue, we all want the same thing, a fine School System, and we must be willing to pay this much for it. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE I walked over every School Site and through or around every building including the Play Fields and repair barns, just as did the C.A.C. in their investigations; as a result: I AM CONVINCED NOW: WE CAN HAVE OUR CAKE WITHOUT ITS "EATING OUR LUNCH" 1 discovered no reason to doubt the motives and good intentions and dedicated effort by everyone involved, the School Board, the Administration Staff, the Architect and the Citizens Advisory Committee. THE ONLY ERROR, and it is a VERY LARGE ONE, lies in the apparent acceptance, without question, of the so- called"Cost Estimates ": These really are PROPOSED EXPENDITURES. ONE TWO There is a lot of difference. You could not have come with me on my 1 have copied verbatum, some very tours so I have had some photos made pertinent illustrative excerpts from the but let me Okay, so this is easy to say and reproduced, a few of them which Citizens Advisory Committee's 69 page be specific in two ways characterize a part of what 1 saw, with report, and made comments regarding m comments about them. these items in the adjacent column to point out the source of my conclusions. WHY DID THE BOND ISSUE FAIL? 1. The older and retired citizens believed that it would work added hardship on them to sup- port this expenditure; they should have an ad- ded Homestead Exemption to help them. 2. The rural people already suffer from the re- sult of out -of -town land speculators bidding up land priced to a level totally unrealistic for agricultural use. We should give them special consideration on evaluation if they are really local farm people. Let us not drive these two groups out of the District with taxes, but reassure them by vot- ing a lesser Bond Issue which WILL enable us to continue and improve the high calibre schools we have. 3. Many other people apparently could not understand why we need this expansion, in view of the recently increased revenues of the district (See Graph Attached). Here is why: The present system was designed several years ago to accomodate 3600 students; we now have only 3100 including an unexpected 200 kindergarten children. But that system was not really completed, especially the High School and Vocational areas were cut back in size. We have also added the Special Ed., Adult Ed. and other new programs, moved the board room, hired more administrative staff and pub- licity folks and just ran out of space. We are using the whole place now. 4. It seems we have also run out of money, but we have already paid our architect over $49,000.00 for the excellent documentation and other work to prepare for this election and for the completed plans and specifications for the two originally planned elementary P.E. facili- ties, so they could be started at once if this Bond issue passed. The Eagle ti This two classroom kindergarten building is marked for demolition, being a part of the total of the 5 buildings (26 classrooms) which are to be demolished under the new heading of "Site Improvements" as set out in Item 28 of the C.A.C. report attached. �j I talked with the kindergarten teacher in this building one Sunday after n, who r told me it was the best workable space she had ever had for teaching; she coni� mented on the good work of the parents in building the playground "tunne`I" etc. and how much the kids loved it. A 12 classroom building now in use for 3rd an ; grades under "Special Ed." is also to be "Site Improved." rhis room in the Board Room Building is part of the excellent printing, reproduction and photographic lab, which is utilized by the school to print their varius publications prepared by the Public Relations division of the Administration headed by Mrs. Crittenden, and her assistant Mrs. Hopson. They were preparing the schedules for the Adult Education Programs when I was there. Mr. Greenawalt, who heads the Com- munity Ed. division and his secretary, Mrs. Beamer are also in the building. I hope, if 1 am elected trustee, to be able to use these facilities for future information output to school patrons. This is the upstairs "mens room" at the High School, off the hall by the gym. William Bausse (the candidate's son) and a young man named Harwell said it had been this way since last year. This is a view of one of the older six classroom buildings now being used for storage and maintenance work. The present Bond issue proposes to demolish the building; I say it can be restored and used, but the maintenance personnel certainly need a more adequate place for storage and workshop. These lads are enjoying a good wholesome recreation after school in a part of the High School cafeteria, next to the area for the proposed "Brown Bag" addition to the cafeteria.