As a city council member in the late 70’s and early 80’s and a city employee for 24 years I have heard a lot of misinformation disseminated through “coffee shop” talk and later social media. It has always concerned me to hear incorrect information passed along by people who don’t bother to ask for the facts, when they are readily available. Right now I am hearing of things being said about the Deer Park School levy, particularly the need for a new bus barn, that are troubling.
First and foremost, the current property is 2.2 acres with no room to expand due to railroad tracks and Spring Creek. The school does not even own all the property that it is currently using. The building is probably 75 years old and was not designed for buses. Putting money into an old building when you will eventually run out of room to park the buses doesn’t make sense.
Speaking of buses, the parking lot has four seasons – pothole, dust, ice, and mud. Pavement isn’t possible as a giant swale would have to be built to prevent the runoff from going into Spring Creek, and that would encroach on the existing parking.
The bridge on Spring Creek Road going into the facility is on a county road and the only way in and out. I have witnessed large spring runoffs where the water from the millpond has overwhelmed the dam and spilled over the bank and run into Spring Creek above the dam. Bridge failure isn’t likely to happen but would be a mess during school if buses could’t get in or out.
The proposed new property is logically located and the City of Deer Park is offering it at a very fair price. There are not many location options available and suggestions of a location west of Cedar Road have two major problems. One is price, the other is zoning. Schools are not permitted in light industrial zoning.
If you have questions don’t rely on social media for answers, go onto the school website or call the superintendent’s office. Superintendent Allman is more than happy to give you accurate information about the needs we are facing. Let’s keep our community strong by supporting our schools.
Mike Reiter
4th generation resident of Deer Park
