Focus on athletics risks overlooking bigger picture in bond debate, school officials say

Apr. 30—FAIRMONT — Fairmont resident Crystal Copeland is skeptical of giving the Marion County School Board more money in the upcoming election.

When voters to to the polls on May 14, they will be asked to approve a bond for Marion County Schools. Copeland believes the bond issue is tilted more favorably toward sports funding and not improving academics.

"Due to COVID, students are falling behind," she wrote in an email. "I strongly support sports as I played sports myself. How about the opportunity to hold down a job or be prepped for college? Education should be prioritized across the county, not focused in one area or on sports. Sports should come second to being a successful adult."

The refrain is a common criticism lobbed against the bond. Voters are asked to approve an almost $20 million bond to help address longstanding issues with school system infrastructure throughout the county. It's the first phase of a 15-year plan to complete all the goals laid out by the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan approved by the State, which lists all the infrastructure needs of the schools.

Copeland's main concern is that between 60-70% of the bond will be going toward athletic facilities. The effect on taxes to people with limited income also distressed her. She pointed out her 2023 taxes for her 1,100 square foot home broke down to 58% for schools, 1% for fire, 3% to public transit, 2% for the library and 3% for parks and recreation.

She asked if giving more money to the school board would truly help education.

However, focusing on the 60-70% split risks missing the full picture, School Treasurer Scott Reider said. Although athletics does take up between 60-65% of the bond, the complete picture tells a different story.

"We have to look at the total package of $39,950,000 because if we don't get the [School Building Authority] funding to help build the Elementary School then there will be no bonds issued for any project," Reider said. "The passing of the bond is not a guarantee of SBA funding either. Looking at it that way I would say around 30-35% of the $39,950,000 would be spent on athletics. This is a package deal."

In essence, Reider said, voters would agree to the almost $40 million package to cover everything the Board of Education wants to accomplish for this phase of development, while only paying roughly $20 million of it.

"The voters will be paying for only about half of the costs for the total package," Reider said.

Taxpayers would only pay the bond if the state's School Building Administration approves the $20 million in funds the School Board needs to build a new elementary school. The Board of Education wants to build a new school that would replace the aging Pleasant Valley and East Park Elementary schools.

So in other words, for taxpayers to be responsible for the first half of the package, the SBA would have to approve the second half. Otherwise, the package is dead and residents aren't responsible for paying the $20 million bond. It's a failsafe to ensure residents aren't left on the hook for paying for an incomplete package.

"If they vote yes and we aren't awarded $20 million of SBA funding the package is $0 and no tax on voters," Reider said.

Board President Donna Costello said this first phase in the overall three-part, 15-year plan addresses the needs of facilities, including athletic facilities. She pointed out the facilities are used not only by school athletics but by community groups as well.

Making the bond politically attractive was also important to the School Board. Costello said community members made their preferences known at public bond meetings last year. People had the opportunity to give input on priorities, needs or wants, she said.

When coming up with the bond priorities, board members focused on selecting projects from each feeder area from the compiled list of community needs.

"We as a board narrowed that down," Costello said, "So it would be palatable to taxpayers and hoped they would support the bond."

School Superintendent Donna Heston said the six projects, including the new school, are the first bite out of a 15 year plan to address needs around the county. The bond proposes an elementary and high school project in each feeder area. The five projects apart from the new elementary school range between $3.6 million and $2.6 million.

"The six projects will improve learning environments for our students as well as support and educate the whole child and support the communities they are within," Heston said. "Regardless if it's a classroom addition, a building addition, a gymnasium, two lane security road or improvements to an athletic field."

Heston said the bond gives voters the chance to bring in $40 million worth of improvements to Marion County Schools.

Costello pointed out the improvements in question go far beyond serving only the school they are attached to.

"This is only phase one of addressing the needs of our aging facilities," she said. "What we have to remember is that the public utilizes Marion County Board of Education facilities."

Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com