Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District (SEPRD) is planning the purchase of the 71 year old Broadway Middle School (BMS)without putting the funding source  - our taxes – to a vote. 

Through SEPRD taxpayers own the pool.  SEPRD also uses the city owned activity center. SEPRD also manages the Broadway field, Chisholm Community Center and the skate park  under contract to the city of Seaside. You pay separate taxes for the City of Seaside and SEPRD. Most taxpayers are not aware of that the SEPRD board is looking to get a loan in excess of $2Million and increase district indebtedness. The only way that a loan for $2.5 million to purchase BMS can be repaid is by taxing us more.  The only way to get the estimated $5-7Million needed to rehab BMS is to raise our taxes through a bond or levy.  We currently pay the 7th highest taxes in the state for a recreation district. In 2018, SEPRD tried to expand - putting a $20Million to the voters.  It was defeated 2:1. Now they are trying to do the same thing except by getting a $2-5Million loan AND THEN pushing a bond through because there’s no other way to pay it off.

In 2020 purchasing BMS was brought to the board; it was tabled for 1 year. Two members of the board resigned; two new board members were selected resulting in a board where only 1 of the 5 members has been elected by the voters. In less than a month after getting the new board members, they put down earnest money to purchase the 71-year-old BMS for $2.5M, despite the Seaside School Board having assured the voters that  BMS is past its usable life. It is widely known that the building has mold, asbestos, lead paint, leaking roof and other issues. SEPRD board has refused to share the results of any inspection report.  They say they have no idea how much all that remediation will cost, and no plan where they will find the money. But they do – and they are looking to get the money by raising taxes. Board members say they have not developed a plan for the project or their use of the building and grounds or the costs of maintenance needs or increased staffing.

TRANSPARENCY FOR SEPRD TAXPAYERS: CALL TO ACTION

No matter how we look at it, the only way Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District can purchase and remediate Broadway Middle School results in our taxes being raised. Maybe not today – but definitely in the near future.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WHETHER TO BUY BMS!! 

Sign this petition to let the SEPRD board members that we do not want SEPRD to close on the sale of BMS; we do not want them getting a loan to purchase BMS. 

WE WANT TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO PURCHASE BMS.  WE WANT TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO RAISE TAXES TO PURCHASE AND REHAB BMS.

 You have a RIGHT TO KNOW and a RIGHT TO DECIDE.