Public tours Carson Middle School

Philip Davies, a junior at Carson High School, told school board members that he felt like "the cowboy who rode into town to save the day."

Davies moved to Carson City last year, just in time to start work on the video produced by Brian Reedy's video literacy class that highlights the problems targeted for repair by the school district in the proposed $18 million bond.

The video was featured at Tuesday's school board meeting at Carson Middle School, followed by a tour of the school guided by Mike Mitchell, the district's director of operations.

Russell and Karen Mead of Carson City do not have any children or grandchildren in the district. They came to the meeting to assess the conditions of the school first hand.

"I'm glad we saw the tape," Karen Mead said. "I didn't realize that the schools were that bad."

Russell Mead said that although he has not decided completely, he will probably vote in favor of the bond.

"I could see where something needs to be done," he said. "I can see some things that are in need of repair."

Mitchell showed everyone the uninsulated windows that allow heat to escape, a failing gymnasium floor, exposed sprinklers hanging from the ceilings, showers that are no longer used and other projects set aside to be renovated or replaced at the site.

Superintendent Jim Parry said he hopes voters recognize the district's desire to be conservative.

"I'm guardedly optimistic," Parry said. "We're making a healthy request to the public."

The video, complete with background music, titles and voice overs, showed footage at the schools throughout the district.

"This lasted only seven minutes but it's probably 20 hours of visit time," Mitchell told board members. "I don' think you could even calculate the number of hours that went into it."

Trustee John McKenna was impressed with the professionalism of the video.

"I was impressed with the quality of the filming," he said. "It could've shown on Channel 2 or Channel 4 and nobody would have known the difference."

Carson City videographer Dave Morgan told board members that the same video would have cost the district around $25,000 if done by professionals.

The district has also planned tours of Fritsch Elementary, Bordewich-Bray Elementary and Eagle Valley Middle School before the Nov. 7 election.

The bond is not expected to raise taxes but if it does not pass, the tax rate could possibly go down. The cost of the bond is about $39 annually for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Schedule of tours:

Where: Fritsch Elementary School

When: Tonight from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Bordewich-Bray Elementary School

When: Nov. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Eagle Valley Middle School

When: Nov. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m.