09/27/2007

 

BEAUMONT - Strategy sessions - pro and con - on Beaumont's $388.6 million school bond proposal are gearing up as the Nov. 6 election draws nearer.

The plan to borrow money for new construction and renovations drew an enthusiastic response Wednesday at a Beaumont Board of Realtors meeting.

 

Nancy Beaulieu, who is working with the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce for the bond's passage, urged the Realtors to back their support with money for the campaign and names of other potential "yes" voters.

"I need you to get active on the pro side of this," said Beaulieu, who ran the campaign for the school district's last successful bond election in 1994. "Don't waste your time on people who don't want facts. Don't waste your time on people who have made up their minds already."

Count Tom Neild, an owner of H.B. Neild and Sons Construction, among those with their minds made up against this bond issue. Neild said he and his wife have long been active in Beaumont schools and do not disagree with the need for a bond issue.

"We're right on board with everybody that we definitely need work done in our schools," Neild said. "We do not feel this is a financially responsible bond issue."

Neild said he and others "fought long and hard for neighborhood schools" and sees this plan as removing elementary schools from too many neighborhoods.

The proposal would spend more than 55 percent of the budget at the elementary level and would replace 14 existing elementary schools with nine new ones. Other highlights include a new South Park Middle School, likely at a new site, and renovations and expansions throughout the school district to get rid of all portable classrooms.

A multi-purpose athletic complex, including a natatorium, constitutes less than 9 percent of the total budget, stressed Dr. David Teuscher, co-chair of a community bond committee, during Wednesday's presentation to Realtors.

Teuscher has made several presentations in favor of the bond proposal and has another scheduled today before the Press Club of Southeast Texas.

Neild said he is not criticizing the hard work of the community committee.

"That's what they feel is in the best interest of the district, but there's some of us that disagree with that. When you disagree with something, you at least need to be able to come back with something," Neild said.

Neild said he and others opposed to the bond issue on the November ballot will try to come up with other alternatives for the future when they meet next Thursday. Some who have petitioned to preserve the South Park Middle School building also are expected to attend that meeting.

Those in favor of the bond issue already have the backing of the chamber, which has raised $20,000 and counting to campaign for passage.

No election ever is a sure thing, but Beaulieu said she is confident people will recognize the need if they weigh all the information, even if they are not comfortable with every aspect.

 

"When you weigh it, you come down on the side of the kids and the future of Beaumont," Beaulieu said. "If we lose, we're going to look like South County and then some."

Realtors, many of whom left checks and contact information to help in the campaign, suggested ideas for getting the word out about the need.

Micki Carpenter, broker for ERA Team Realtors, said she was horrified when she saw the condition inside classrooms and other voters need to see the same thing.

"What I saw was a lot worse than paint," Carpenter said.

Tammy Whitley of Coldwell Banker suggested tucking notes supporting the bond issue into trick-or-treat bags. "Mommy, my school scares me. Run to the polls," was one slogan she offered.

"We have to do this," Whitley said. "... Even if you're not a homeowner, you have to look at it from every angle."