Farmington Schools: No Money Spent on Consultant for Bond Election

Did Farmington Public Schools spend "in excess of $40,000" on a consultant to help them during the Nov. 5 bond referendum campaign? 

Farmington city council member Greg Cowley, who is up for re-election Nov. 5, said at the close of Monday's council meeting that the district not only hired a consultant, but plans to give some Central Office staff promotions and raises.

School spokesperson Diane Bauman said Tuesday that the district "has not paid any monies for a bond consultant" for either the Aug. 6 or Nov. 5 elections. She added, "the District is not planning any raises or promotions for this fall or for the rest of this year," she added. 

Council member Bill Galvin, who is also on the November ballot, took his first public stand against the bond, saying a tax increase is not the only way to fund the needed improvements. 

"I believe that if the city and the schools work together," he said, "we could cooperate to fund the school improvements with no tax increase."

Galvin said redevelopment of the vacant Maxfield Training Center and the former Flanders Elementary School site, could generate millions of dollars in tax revenues, and further study of those properties is unnecessary. 

He also noted that residents in this year's Farmington visioning process cited redevelopment of those properties as a priority. 

"A no vote on both of the school bond proposals supports governmental efficiencies of your taxes, and a no vote on both proposals supports your vision for Farmington that you have laid out," Galvin said. 

The district is asking voters to support a two-part bond referendum. Proposal 1, for safety and security improvements, infrastructure improvements, technology, and classroom and media center remodeling, comes to $154.6 million. Proposal 2 focuses on high school performing arts centers, outdoor athletic field and track resurfacing and a technology refresh, at a cost of $31.6 million.

The combined $186.2 million request is 16 percent less than the $222 million question voters turned down Aug. 6.