School bond ballot address growth and aging

MAT-SU— A school bond package that addresses student population growth and aging schools in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough was adopted last night (Aug. 9) by the Borough Assembly, and will be placed on the ballot for the Oct. 4 election.

If adopted by voters, the average assessed home ($208,000) would pay $154 annually or $13 per month. The state would pay 70 percent of the projects. The local obligation would be 30 percent.

The total bond package is worth $214 million. Borough taxpayers would be responsible for $64.3 million. Bonds will not be issued for projects that do not qualify for the 70 percent reimbursement.

The Assembly was considering three different bond proposals.

“Assembly Members agreed for the longer more cost-effective five-year bond,” said Assembly Member Cindy Bettine. “This package would only allow the Borough to bond for the most needed at the 70 percent match, thus making sure the need was great for each project,” said Bettine, who supported an adopted amendment that demands the 70 percent match projects.

Assembly Member Vern Halter said the school construction projects would boost the local economy. “I don’t have any kids going to school, but this is a pretty darn good deal. … The economic multiplier is the key to it. It’s going to produce a ton of jobs. I’m assuming we’re going to have a lot of local contractors. I’m assuming some of the property values will go up because they always do near schools. I’m assuming a lot of things are going to be positive,” Halter said.

Listen to Assembly Member Halter's quote on upper right.

Assembly Member Ron Arvin voted against Bettine’s amendment to remove the Valley Pathways School from the list, emphasizing that too many portables are in use long-term district-wide.

“i will be voting against taking money out of this proposed bond package, to solve the portable issue, that is prevalent throughout the entire district. … It is unconscionable and irresponsible of us as policy makers for us to expect students to go to school in some of those facilities.”

Listen to Assembly Member Arvin's quote on upper right.

The school projects are in every Assembly district. Among the many projects on the list are a new high school for the fastest growing area of Knik-Fairview, an addition to the Career and Technical High School; and maintenance projects such as flooring replacements for several schools including Wasilla Middle, Finger Lake, and Meadow Lakes; also renovation for Houston High; heating ventilation improvements for several schools, among them Butte, Cottonwood, Willow and Palmer Middle School. ( A full list will be posted)

During some candid conversations with the Assembly, Borough School Superintendent Deena Paramo highlighted some of the projects.

"So we said, what are the needs? Well we know the growth in Knik Goose Bay, no one can question that. We did our best to touch different neighborhoods ... Career and technical education, our Career and Technical facility is the envy of the state and we want to keep it that way. Hence, we’re leaving that in because we have a wait list for that program. Now, Valley Pathways in Palmer, that’s not a shiny school and sometimes people forget about it. … They’ve been in portables over 10 years. Yet year after year they graduate our children. Palmer High School, one of our schools with the most pride, is falling apart. 15:24

The Borough has 44 schools. Student population is growing by the equivalent of a school a year, according to the District.

The Assembly adopted the bond package 5 to 2.

For more information call Patty Sullivan 907.355.0103 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.