The Baker School District wants to know what you think about a proposed $48 million property tax bond measure that would build a new elementary school, remodel parts of Baker High School, turn Brooklyn Primary School into an early childhood center, and do other work.

We urge residents to take the district up on its offer.

The measure could be on the Nov. 6 ballot, although the School Board isn’t slated to decide until late July whether to ask voters to approve it.

Residents have already had multiple chances to learn about the work of the district’s long-range facilities committee, including a public presentation on Feb. 15.

The district has also spent about $24,000 for a pair of public opinion telephone surveys.

The board has set aside time during Tuesday’s meeting at Baker City Hall, 1655 First St., for public comment on the topic. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. but the facilities issue likely will begin at 7 p.m.

Should directors decide to put the bond measure on the Nov. 6 ballot the matter would, of course, ultimately be decided by voters.

But that doesn’t mean opinions expressed now aren’t valuable.

The efforts the district has already made are designed not only to gauge taxpayers’ level of interest in a bond measure, but also to get an idea of the public’s priorities.

That’s vital information because it will help the school board tailor any construction/renovation plan, as best as possible, based on public sentiment.

We hope anyone with an interest in the subject who is able will take the time to comment. If you can’t attend Tuesday’s meeting you can find more information, including the facilities committee’s report, as well as an online comment form, at www.bsdfacilities.org/

From the Baker City Herald editorial board. The board consists of editor Jayson Jacoby and reporter Chris Collins.