Whatever the results of an April 2 school bond vote, USD 257 and its taxpayers will still grapple with facility costs.
The age of existing school buildings the youngest, McKinley, was built in 1949 and the oldest, the high school, was built in 1916 means high maintenance costs, school officials have said.
The school bond proposal would replace three elementary schools McKinley, Jefferson and Lincoln in favor of one combined school for preschool through fifth grade students. Supporters have said new facilities will reduce maintenance costs and result in savings between $300,000 to $500,000 each year because of that and other efficiencies like reduced utility costs and less duplication of resources.
Opponents worry about the added burden to taxpayers in a region of the state that struggles with a declining and aging population, along with high rates of poverty and poor health.
There isnt exactly a Plan B if the bond issue fails, but the board has discussed contingency plans, Dan Willis, president of the USD 257 Board of Education, said.
An engineering report showed the district needs to replace lighting and air conditioning systems 90 percent of those systems are past their life expectancy at an estimated cost of about $7 million. Thats just part of the districts maintenance needs, Willis said.
The heating, ventilation and cooling systems at the middle school need to be replaced, which is included in the bond issue but will need to be done regardless. The reason it was included as part of the bond issue is because the state will pay for 35 percent of the estimated $2.8 million cost if voters approve new facilities. If the bond issue is approved, local taxpayers will foot just 65 percent of the costs; if the HVAC is replaced outside of the bond issue, taxpayers will pay 100 percent of the costs.
Similarly, the proposed science and technology building will cost about $7 million, but with the state picking up 35 percent of the cost. If voters reject the proposal, repairs will need to be done to the current science building. The district doesnt have specific estimates for that work, but steering committee members said it could include things like a new room and structural repairs.
And those issues dont address problems with existing elementary schools, Willis said.
If the bond proposals fail, the districts options to pay for future maintenance and repairs likely will still require increased taxes, Willis said. There are limits on how much taxes can be raised, which means the district could have to look at alternatives should maintenance costs exceed the available tax money. One way would be to enter into lease-purchase agreements on some items. Another would be to cut other budget items, like services or salaries.
We will find a way to do some of it, Willis said. But that still wont improve safety and other things as much.
THE BALLOT for the April 2 vote contains three questions, which has led to some confusion. The question on whether to build a new elementary school must pass in order for the other to questions to pass.
Voters who read those questions may not understand that, Superintendent Stacey Fager explained to board members earlier this month. Each of the three questions have to stand alone for legal reasons, he said.
The bond election gives the board authority to issue bonds, but not the obligation, Fager said.
