Dear Editor,

I have heard complaints that the Garfield Re-2 School District bond project bids were awarded to Denver companies.

The school district has guidelines that it must follow regarding the competitive bidding process.

All contractors are welcome to bid, and the decision is based on the lowest bid that can provide the necessary components.

It has nothing to do with the location of the company. Some bids have been given to Denver based companies, and several bids have been awarded to Western Slope contractors. Many of these companies have hired Garfield School District area contractors as subs on the jobs.

I have also heard that the school district has squandered the bond funds.

The money from the bond project cannot be used for anything but structural improvements. This is mandated by law.

If a project comes in under budget, the extra money cannot be used for the mill levy programs. It is illegal and a misuse of public funds.

The school district has been fortunate to receive favorable returns on the bond money. Many of the construction bids have come in under budget.

This allowed the administration to exercise many of the optional enhancements that improve the learning environment even more.

This money has not been squandered, but rather managed quite well.

Jennifer Rhoades

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