APRIL 7, 2009
Beth Klingele NEXT WEEKS PROGRAM: YV Tech – serving Valley Needs
We were graciously greeted by MAC PORTER, prayed for by BECKY SCHOLL, President-Elect CHRISTINE COTE ran a non-argyle meeting and also pinch hit as our sergeant with Ken Griffey Jr. trivia.
JO MCLAIN brought guest Elaine Garrison who works for the State and helps get members to our AKTION club.
Welcome back JULIUS GLOVER who has a new knee and is ready to boogie.
Christine Cote is looking for a few good Kiwanians to attend the upcoming Zone Conference April 18th in Pendleton, OR. Contact Christine Cote for more info.
New member JAN LYONS won, then lost the 50/50 raffle.
MARY BETH WRIGHT introduced our speakers Yakima School Superintendent Ben Soria and Chairperson for the Yakima Schools Bond Committee Paul Larson. Ben Soria is in his 9th year leading the Yakima School District and is set to retire this June but not before trying again to pass a school bond. Voting will be May 19th. This bond will replace the current bond which expires in 2011. The cost would be $1.57 per $1000 of assessed value which is 7 cents less than the 2008 rate of $1.64. T he $114m bond would be matched with $104m of State money giving us $218m for a major $85m modernization of Davis HS, a $112m replacement of Eisenhower $16.5 million for maintenance on other schools including paying off $3.2m of debt already acquired for maintenance. Local attorney Paul Larson along with his wife Christie, who is a Yakima native and an Ike valedictorian asked to lead the campaign because they see the value in to our community in providing quality schools. Not only do good facilities create a healthy environment for learning, but it helps attract business leaders to our area which improves our economy. According to Dr. Soria, both Ike and Davis are worn out and don’t operate efficiently despite the great lengths the maintenance crews have gone to in “bandaiding” serious problems. While the brick exterior of Davis looks good, many infrastructure improvements are needed especially electrical, plumbing, HVAC and better security. It is estimated that rebuilding of Davis and building a new Ike will bring $1.7 billion of economic impact to Yakima. 95% of students passed the WASL, a great improvement over the past. If you think our kids deserve better, cast your vote on May 19th.
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