Voting locations for special referendum May 7th
School Bond Voting Locations
PLEASE note that the voting locations for this special referendum are different from previous elections. Check the map to check your voting location.
WHY VOTE REJECT!
How much will taxes go up?
Based on an average home value of $468,300 in South Kingstown, Residents would see an increase of about $1,170.00 year.
Current SK Tax Rate $11.05 —-> SK Tax Rate in 2030 $13.55
(11.05 x $468,300) ÷ 1,000 = $5,175
(13.55 x $468,300) ÷ 1,000 = $6,344
*It’s important to note that this increase does not include increased home assessment values and additional tax levies
Do we need a new high school?
NO! We need to renovate SKHS and all of the schools in South Kingstown. The Facilities Conditions Index (FCI) for SKHS is 35%. RIDE only recommends new construction when the FCI is 65% or higher.
*more information on FCI calculations Here
Student enrollment is on the decline!
Since last year alone, there are 169 less students enrolled in South Kingstown schools. And projections show a long-term decline in enrollment.
Would a new high school attract families?
Housing prices are already quite high in South Kingstown. Would increased taxes attract you to purchase a home? Additionally, could the establishment of a new high school address the low proficiency ratings that South Kingstown Schools have received?
Local Articles
Fate of future bond in SK complicated by changing district
On Your Dime: Market instability throws Warwick high school projects into question
Fate of future bond in SK complicated by changing district
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — A looming risk hangs over future South Kingstown high school students as community divisions grow about spending more money on their education — and for the dreams that come with it.
Officials plan to ask voters to consider up to a $150 million bond for a new and state-of-the-art high school. Spending is splitting the community once more — as in previous funding controversies — on dissent regarding tax dollars to spend on its youth.
Rogers High School is over budget.
On Your Dime: Market instability throws Warwick high school projects into question
Fate of future bond in SK complicated by changing district
Rogers High School is over budget. Why project leaders can't say how much.
On Your Dime: Market instability throws Warwick high school projects into question
On Your Dime: Market instability throws Warwick high school projects into question
On Your Dime: Market instability throws Warwick high school projects into question
WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — Market uncertainty is prompting new questions surrounding two major construction projects in Warwick: rebuilding Toll Gate and Pilgrim high schools.
Community Members voice concerns
Our town's LARGEST bond in history
To the Editor,
I recently attended several joint sessions of the town council, school committee and the school building committee.
I’m sure everyone recognizes the turmoil the community is experiencing concerning the school bond of 155,000,000. Rhode Island has a state debt of 9.29 billion (9,000,000,000). Our town debt is 14 million. Common sense needs to prevail.
Families are putting groceries on their credit cards, seniors are finding it difficult to remain here and the economy continues to stagnate.
Before you vote yes for this increase and tear down ($5 million just to demolish) and build new for less than 700 students (with a declining rate of 4-6%) realize this bond will raise the taxes up 17% and one council member suggested up to 25%. This bond alone will take 20 years to pay off. This leaves very little future funding for public works (streets and highways), parks and recreation (Community Center), senior services, libraries, general town government OR the other schools. Presently the estimate to repair the other school buildings is 32 million and this bond does NOT include them at all.
Our elected officials have neglected to address the building priorities set out in 2015. Are you wondering where the extra money went from closing three schools? It was reported at the meeting it went to teacher’s pensions and healthcare. It seems the more we spend the worse the statistics are for our SK students. In 2015 SKHS was rated #4, today SKHS is #15. (SCHOOL CHOICE NOW PLEASE!)
Our elected officials must create a bond that’s realistic in today’s economy. A bond that addresses defects in ALL the schools. Let’s add a sports complex, update the existing building (HVAC and IT) and not add a 5th quarter tax bill as suggested by one school committee member. Let’s do it all, gradually and with common sense.
Vote NO on May 7th. Early voting date to be determined.
Debra MacDowell
Link to FULL article: Narragansett Times
Link to FULL article: South County Independent
NK School Bond
Why Kingstown School Bonds Failed and Solutions
The failure of the Kingstown school bonds can be attributed to various factors, including concerns over the high cost of the proposed projects, potential property tax increases, economic challenges, and skepticism about the necessity and scope of the construction. Richard Davids, a retired human factors engineer, has outlined these issues and proposed solutions.
Here's a summary:
- High Construction Costs: The estimated cost per square foot for the new high school is significantly higher than the regional average, making the overall project cost unreasonable.
- Risk of Construction Overruns: Large construction projects like the proposed high school are prone to cost overruns, which can further inflate the budget and strain taxpayer funds.
- Property Tax Increases: Residents are worried about the substantial property tax hikes associated with the bonds, especially for seniors on fixed incomes.
- Negative Employment Trends: Rhode Island's negative employment growth indicates economic challenges that could affect residents' ability to absorb additional tax burdens.
- Declining School Enrollment: The declining enrollment in South Kingstown suggests that the need for new school facilities might be overestimated.
- Housing Market Challenges: High mortgage rates and economic contraction contribute to a sluggish housing market, affecting residents' financial stability.
- High Cost of Living: Washington County's high cost of living exacerbates the financial strain on residents, particularly seniors on fixed incomes.
- Residential Tax Base: The predominance of residential property tax revenue limits the town's ability to generate income from other sources, exacerbating the burden on homeowners.
Davids proposes two solutions:
- Community Engagement: Conduct surveys to determine residents' willingness to pay for school construction projects and establish a realistic budget based on their feedback.
- Cost Reduction Measures: Explore ways to build a less expensive high school without sacrificing quality, such as minimizing high-tech features and focusing on essential infrastructure needs.
Ultimately, addressing these concerns and implementing Davids' proposed solutions could increase the likelihood of future bond referendums being successful. Engaging with the community and finding a balance between educational needs and taxpayers' financial constraints is crucial for the success of such projects.