Carson City's Youth Sports Association endorses school bond

Carson City's Youth Sports Association is standing behind the school district in support of the proposed $18 million bond issue on Tuesday's ballot.

The association, which sponsors local sporting activities, has an agreement with the school district to practice on the schools' fields.

"They've always been very gracious," said John Simms of the sports association. "Without the school's property, the kids wouldn't be able to practice as much as they need to."

Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the school district, was pleased to hear of the endorsement.

"I'm thrilled," he said. "I think it shows a good awareness on the part of the sports association about what the bond will accomplish for the kids of Carson City."

Mitchell said the bond would improve outdoor fields as well as update indoor gymnasiums.

"Certainly, those things will help our youth sports organizations," he said.

The bond addresses more than recreation, however.

The bulk of the bond will be spent to upgrade obsolete systems such as old pipes and and uninsulated windows. Nearly $7 million will be set aside for these projects.

The district would spend about $2.5 million to increase safety at the schools with electronic locks and updated intercom systems.

Installing new heat and air-conditioning units will cost about $2.8 million and upgrading technology facilities will cost $800,000.

New science labs would be added to the high school and middle schools for a cost of about $1 million.

Mitchell said district officials have done what they needed to do and now they can only wait and see what the voters will decide in Tuesday's election.

"I have guarded optimism," he said. "I don't sense a lot of enthusiasm, but I don't sense any negativism either."

The bond is not expected to raise taxes. However, if it is not approved, taxes would go down. The cost of the bond is about $39 for the owner of a new home valued at $100,000.