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Information
Referendum Press Release
FACILITIES PLANNING BACKGROUND
This past summer, the District hired Blue Design Group Architects and Miron Construction to assess the District’s buildings and grounds. They evaluated the condition of building systems, exteriors, classroom adequacy, athletic facilities, ADA accessibility, and capacity. Based on this work, projects at the Elementary, Junior High and High School have been identified for feedback in the next section of this survey.
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FINANCIAL PLANNING BACKGROUND
The District cannot afford to fund these projects out of the annual operating budget. Therefore, we are developing a plan based on the priorities of the community and the willingness to financially support the projects potentially through a capital referendum.
As a result of careful financial planning, the District will pay off previous debt in full by the 2024-25 school year. The School Board believes this is a good time to consider our options because the District will be free of long-term debt and interest rates remain near historic lows. There is a window of opportunity to invest in our facilities with a minimal tax impact.
A proposed debt referendum of $12,500,000 is estimated to have a $0.16 impact on the mill rate over the projected debt levy for 2020-21 per $100,000 of equalized property value. If approved, this would mean an estimated increase of:
$16.00 per year for a home/property with a property value of $100,000
$32.00 per year for a home/property with a property value of $200,000
$48.00 per year for a home/property with a property value of $300,000
(Estimates provided by R.W. Baird)
Proposed Referendum Plan:
Upgrade building systems, address maintenance and infrastructure needs, improve classroom and educational spaces, and add secure entrances.
Although our schools are well maintained, some major building systems are approaching the end of their useful life and educational updates are needed. The proposed plan would address safety, parking, maintenance, upgrades to educational spaces, and infrastructure needs at both the Junior High and High School and the Elementary School.
Elementary School Scope
- Remodel front entrance to create a secure entryway
- Exterior door and frame replacement
Junior High/High School Scope
- Interior classroom renovations and improvements, including floors, ceilings, paint, and casework
- Restroom renovations, including new ceramic tile, plumbing fixtures, and partitions
- Upgrade heating and ventilation system in existing school, including lower level fitness center to improve air quality and humidity control, and to add air conditioning in various areas
- Exterior window and door replacements
- Construct Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessibility improvements
- Construct a 2-court gymnasium and locker room addition
- New main entrance canopy and building signage
- Remodel existing high school gym including painting, floor refinishing, new bleachers, scoreboards, and backboards
- Replace exterior metal wall panels
- Exterior façade improvements to technical education area
- Convert bus garage into district maintenance building
- Remodel vehicle storage building and convert portion into concession stand
- Resurface existing parking lots and add additional staff, student and visitor parking spaces to improve traffic flow
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