Letter to the editor: Quaker Valley School Board should hold a referendum

Quaker Valley School Board should hold referendum

Rich Webb’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 22 issue of the Sewickley Herald poses some interesting ideas. However, some clarification is required.

Because the school board has refused to hold a referendum, they cannot take advantage of low interest rates and the good construction climate that he describes. They’d have been able to borrow the entire cost and proceed at an orderly pace if they’d sought and achieved the approval of voters of this school district to build their hilltop school.

Instead, they’ve created a financing scheme whose only goal is to avoid asking taxpayers if they want it. Their scheme requires that money be borrowed in smaller amounts and over a longer period of time. The result is that the project will be built incrementally and cost the market prices which exist when they finally have the funds to proceed.

The delays in which Mr. Webb identifies as negligent are the result of the conscious decision of the school board to avoid asking the community we live in together for permission to borrow in excess of $100 million. No obstruction of this project exists other than the one they’ve created.

They may not feel they are hampered by their plan They may tell you that. Ask them why, though, they never came to our community and asked us for approval. It is the height of arrogance to proceed in this fashion.

We deserve a voice in this matter. QV’s school board should hold a referendum.

Janet Innamorato

Sewickley