I've got a confession. I'm guilty of perpetuating the myth that the school bond referendum vote is complicated. Someone challenged me on that this week, and with the help of some friends, I peeled back all the layers to reveal six essentials that illustrate how simple this decision really is.

It is time for Falls Church to build a new high school. Our 1952-vintage building has served our city well and it’s worn out. The time has come for a new building. City Council and School Board studied this deeply for the past four years. We've left no stone unturned, and the result of all this study shows that the most cost-effective, long-term solution is to build a new high school.
In a community that prides itself on public education, our high school should reflect the values of our community. We need a facility that supports the superb instruction already happening at GMHS.
Taxes will go up to pay for the school whether we vote yes or no on this referendum. A NO vote means we spend upwards of $70M to renovate, add on and keep the old building going. A YES vote means we authorize the spending of up to $120M on a brand new building. A YES vote means we build a new school that will serve our community and its students for generations. A NO vote sets the City up for a short-sighted patch job that will cost far more in the long run.
A YES vote means that we have the unprecedented opportunity to develop 10 acres of land where GMHS currently stands. We estimate it will bring in $43-45M in payments (which will be used to help pay for the school and mitigate the effect on taxes.) A NO vote means that we have no opportunity to reduce tax impact or spur place-making and community-enhancing economic revitalization in the West End.
A YES vote keeps home values high and our city independent. Home values in every community are tied to the quality of the public schools. A NO vote means that over time demand for our real estate may decrease when families are not willing to pay a premium for a second-rate high school facility. A NO vote calls into question our commitment to public education for the future.
The argument that we are not ready is penny-wise, pound-foolish. One thing that we’ve learned from the delays in the Mt. Daniel and City Hall construction is that construction costs keep going up. A NO vote with the intent of delaying a new high school to study it further means it will cost more when we finally get to it. City Council, School Board and the community have thoroughly vetted this project. As I mentioned above, we've left no stone unturned in the quest for the best value for the community at the lowest possible cost.

There are many other issues and concerns that people are sharing and discussing. While the School Bond Referendum decision is not complicated, the actual project is very complicated. A strong team of experienced general government and school staff is preparing for this project. They will be ready to make it happen if the voters say YES. The City of Falls Church website and the FCCPS website have further detailed information showing how much work and study has gone into this project. I encourage everyone who wants to know more to keep studying and asking questions. There were some excellent questions at Sunday's community meeting at GMHS.