There have been several recent posts regarding the CVU Bond Vote coming up on Tuesday. Below is summary addressing some of these issues and why it is important to vote in SUPPORT of this bond:
1. WHY TWO TURF FIELDS: CVU had 5 multipurpose grass playing fields. All of which are heavily damaged, on a clay base and need $300,000 in repairs EACH. The school is also 2-3 fields short just to meet current demand. The proposed project has always been for TWO fields. This is necessary because turf can sustain use equal to 2-3 grass fields, so solves the shortage issue and will allow one of the remaining 3 grass fields to be continually rotated "offline" to allow for resting and reseeding - something that is impossible now. With the engineering, site work, and permitting that is necessary for a project such as this, money is saved by doing two fields NOW, not one now and one later. Other schools with turf have advised if they could have a second, they would. Demand from clubs and the VPA in renting turf fields is great and two fields will provide significant income potential.
2. REPLACING GRASS WITH GRASS: Due to the native clay soils, repairing the grass fields (which will still cost $1.5 million - 5 fields !@ $300,000 each) is not a responsible, permanent solution. We can put as much money as we'd like into drainage systems to address ground water. It's the surface water and inability of the fields to drain due to the clay that is the issue. If we spend money to lay new sod, it is a temporary solution. Within a few years, the soil will be compacted from overuse, the root systems of the grass destroyed due to the standing water, and tax payers will face spending more money to repair AGAIN. Building additional grass fields, even if real estate were available which it is not, would just be more of the same - grass fields on poorly draining clay soil. Turf is the permanent and fiscally sound solution.
3. TAX IMPLICATION: The timing of placing this bond is such that overall bond payments are decreasing due to other maturing bonds. As a result, this particular bond issue will NOT impact taxes. Might taxes go down if this bond is NOT passed? Yes. But the estimated amount is $15 per year on a home assessed at $300,000 - or $1.25 per month. This seems a small amount to pay to provide a permanent solution to the fact that our fields are unsafe, injury rates higher, and community access limited or non existent based on their current condition.
4. ATHLETICS vs. ACADEMICS: Part of the CVU mission is the overall "Pursuit of Excellence". No one is suggesting that this money be spent on athletics instead of on academic initiatives. The School Board balances this issue on a regular basis and they do not need to be, not should they be, mutually exclusive initiatives. The bottom line is that LESS THAN 3% of the total school budget goes to fund co-curricular activities. This includes not just athletics, but all clubs, drama, music, etc. Studies show that kids do better when they are engaged in school related activities outside the classroom. Assuring that playing fields are available to all students, at all levels, for all activities, therefore supports their academic learning - it does not take away from it. The school board explained at their public forum last week the reason for this special vote vs. including as part of regular budget proceedings. The field issues must be addressed ASAP and work must be done when school is not in session (i.e. summer 2014). Due to lengthy permitting process, this cannot wait until March to get started.
Just as the community stepped forward with the upgrades to the CVU auditorium several years ago, providing what is now a top of the line space, it's time to do the same for the athletic facilities. It's the fiscally sound, permanent solution.
Feb 12, 2025, 5 to 6:30 PM
Tea Cup Pin Cushion!Feb 12, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Rotary Speaker: Sarah Lemnah, Vermont Red CrossFeb 13, 2025, 7:30 to 8:30 AM