Editor, Times-Union: Having read many of the letters to the editor concerning the Warsaw Schools referendum, we agree with Jim Merritt. He shows a good insight into the concerns of us all in regard to a quality education for our children, but has a more realistic approach for the improvement of existing facilities. We are not sure that the total cost of this proposed project has been made clear. Gary Gerard's column in Saturday's Times-Union contained the text of the referendum question that will be on the ballot. The estimated cost was listed as "not more than $39,000,000 ..." Using previously published information from the school board, the cost was listed as $39,900,000 plus estimated interest of $24,348,690 for a total of $64,248,690. If we add in the current (as of Jan. 27) debt service levy of $7,694,587 it comes to a grand total of $71,943,277 over 22 years. We tried the math as outlined in Mr. Gerard's column and could not come up with his figures. We don't think that any of us can afford a debt this large. In fact, a first-grader will have the opportunity to work for 10 years after high school graduation to help pay off a debt that we contracted for them. We also know that it is extremely unlikely that we can go for 22 years without needing to build or remodel something else. It seems that the school corporation needs to include more funding in their budget for ongoing upkeep and repair of existing properties. We will vote no with the hope that the school board will take a more conservative approach to mitigate the current problems. Lynn Shipley Leesburg Editor’s Note: The numbers in General Manager Gary Gerard’s News Views column were accurate.
