Proponents and opponents of the Mt. Daniel Elementary school bond referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot in Falls Church sparred for two hours in a lively forum at the American Legion Hall Thursday night.

Proponents cited how, based on how the City Council may vote this Monday, the $15.6 million price tag for the badly-needed improvements will be paid without increasing the tax burden on City taxpayers by utilizing a combination of the use of some of the proceeds from the City’s sale of its water system and $4.2 million in proffers from developers for the three most recent large scale developments projects in the City. Opponents did not challenge the need for the school improvements, but said their opposition to the bond referendum was due to little more than their lack of trust in the City government.