Ed cetera

Join the informed, opinionated journalists of The Times' editorial staff in lively discussions at our blog Ed Cetera.

February 12, 2008 4:55 PM

Is the Seattle School District suddenly awash in money?

The answer is no, but someone must think taxpayers are. The agenda for Wednesday evening's School Board meeting includes eye-popping requests for enormous sums for school construction.

Here's a glimpse: A $360,000 increase for architectural services for the new South Shore K-8 school, swelling that single contract to $2.5 million. Cost overruns of $10 million are predicted for building South Shore and remodeling Hamilton Middle School. The board agenda includes a request to transfer $2.7 million to keep the work going on Garfield High School, a project that will top $100 million when its completed. Oh, and the co-location of Denny Middle School with Sealth High School could use an extra $10 million.

Where will the money come from? Taxpayers. School bond measures approved by voters were the eqivalent of taking out a mortgage. Now the rising costs of building materials and more expensive trade union contracts is escalating the tab faster than a sub-prime loan. It is worth perusing the board agenda or attending the meeting to better understand why fixed cost in government is an oxymoron.

Digg | Newsvine

Submit a comment

nwhomes

Find a Home

For sale
New Homes
Foreclosures

Search properties for sale

Rent a home or apartment

Post your property or rental

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.

Or search by location:

nwautos

Fatal crashes are down in Washington, and a national used-car database goes onlinenew
Associated Press Study: Fatal crashes down in Washington Last year Washington's roads were the scene of the fewest fatal crashes since 1955. According...
Post a comment