Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor:

The article about the possibility of the school purchasing a house across the street from the Southside Elementary was alarming. The article stated that voter approval was not needed because it was across the street.

To clarify the locations, the school property is in block 23 and the house is in block 24 of the original townsite of Wolf Point. Fifth Avenue separates the two. There are specific Montana Codes (laws) that deal with school properties. There are processes that allow taxpayers, voters, to have a say in the growth and management of public entities. Montana Codes Annotated 20-6-621 (1)(b) states: The trustees may purchase or other wise acquire property CONTIGUOUS to an existing site that is in use for school purposes without a site approved election. This house is not contiguous to the school. It is in another block.

Furthermore, the school buying the house will remove it from the tax roll and the taxpayers will have to pay for utilities and upkeep. Will the school rent the property to offset these costs? Who will do the maintenance, will we have to hire additional staff?

I agree we need places for teachers, but I think the administration should follow the laws of Montana.

Bill Juve, Wolf Point