Almost two hundred peopled packed the new Reno headquarters of a grassroots organization working to get a ballot measure passed that would increase the sales tax in Washoe. The tax revenue generated would fund school capital projects. Reno Public Radio’s Anh Gray was there.
The Coalition to Save Our Schools just kicked off their SOS Washoe Campaignto pass a November ballot measure that would increase the sales tax by about half a percent to generate money for schools. The Washoe County School District has many run-down buildings and severe overcrowding, even facing the possibility of double sessions. That would mean splitting the student body into two groups, each starting at different times.
Reno City Councilman David Bobziensays he’s backing the group’s efforts to raise awareness about the issues.
“We’re talking about dual-session schools, multi-track schools, schedules that would involve having to get kids to the bus stop at 5 am and picking them up in the middle of the day,” Bobzien says. “That’s a huge inconvenience for students for families.”
The district needs nearly $800 million to build new schools and make repairs, including asbestos abatement in some facilities.
