SWL Bond Issue

 

SWL Community,
In May, 2014 voters will decide on a “BOND ISSUE” totaling 6.1 mills that would pay for the construction and upgrading of our schools. If approved, it would raise $66,525,366 to upgrade our school buildings. We realize there are questions on residents’ minds. This book was developed to provide clear, concise and easy to understand information to you, the voters.

 

We are not minimizing at all the cost to our homeowners. We know that the passage of the “BOND ISSUE” represents an additional cost to community members. A homeowner of a $100,000 house will pay $213.50 a year, or $17.79 a month. The state has offered to pay 45 percent of the shared building cost which is $42,462,230, but this only exists if the bond issue passes in May, 2014.

 

The SWL Plan: Build a new high school, build a fourth elementary, renovate the current high school into a middle school, renovate all three elementary
buildings and convert the existing middle school into a pre-kindergarten center, district offices and transportation center.

Please take a moment to read the following Q and A’s. Additionally, any word that looks like “THIS” is clearly defined in the glossary in the back of this book.
Please contact us with any questions you may have.

 

Administration  (740) 927-3941

Robert T. Jennell, Superintendent rjennell@laca.org

Richard Jones, Treasurer rdjones@laca.org

Kasey Rathburn-Perkins, Assistant Superintendent krathburn@laca.org

 

Board of Education

Don Huber, President (740) 927-0283; dhuber@laca.org

Debra Moore, Vice-President (740) 927-2303; dmoore@laca.org

Dave Engel, Member (740) 927-4447; deengel@laca.org

Roger Zeune, Member (740) 927-7339; rzeune@laca.org

Daniel Bell, Member (740) 927-3941; djbell@laca.org

 

 

Q: Why do we need a new high school and elementary school?

A:  SWL enrollment figures from 1996 to 2013 increased our student populationby over 800 students. While this may seem like gradual growth over 17 years, itmeans we now have 800 more students in the buildings. Our architectural firm,Fanning and Howey, calculated our building capacity using the current “STATECAPACITY FORMULA”. WMHS capacity is 920, current enrollment is 1231;WMS capacity is 692, current enrollment is 900; Etna capacity is 426, currentenrollment is 580; Kirkersville capacity is 478, enrollment is 640 and Pataskalacapacity is 467, current enrollment is 537. “MODULAR CLASSROOMS” onlytemporarily increase classroom space.

 

Q:  How did SWL decide what needs to be done?

A:  A complete inspection (“FACILITIES ASSESSMENT”) was done by stateofficials on each SWL building and presented to us. These inspectionsaddressed the conditions of our buildings, needed repairs, replacements, andso on. State officials, after inspections were complete, came up withalternative “MASTER PLANS”. We reviewed these and selected the plan thatbest meets SWL’s needs.

 

Q:  Where will the new high school and the new elementary school be located?

A:  SWL owns the land at Smoke Road and Route 40, and we will place bothbuildings on this property. This land is next to our current high school andmiddle school; we will safely connect it to the existing high school.

 

Q:  Why not add more “MODULAR CLASSROOMS” like those just purchased at Etna and Kirkersville to handle the extra students?

A:  “MODULAR CLASSROOMS” cost over $100,000 each, and will need to beeventually replaced. These classrooms are only a temporary fix, not a longterm solution to SWL’s growing student population. Also, these provideclassroom space only – our libraries, restrooms, cafeteria, gym, etc. are still thesame size and cannot accommodate SWL’s growing student population.

 

Q:  Can SWL change or just opt to do certain projects in the “MASTER PLAN”?

A:  No. The “MASTER PLAN” must address all needs in all the buildings/futurebuildings in the SWL school district. We are not able to simply renovate onebuilding and be done. However, SWL will have input on the order of workand/or the different phases of how the work is completed.

 

Q: How many more tries will SWL have to pass this “BOND ISSUE”?

A:  SWL has one more general election (May 2014) to pass the “BOND ISSUE” toreceive dollars from the state. If the “BOND ISSUE” does not pass in May 2014,SWL will become a “LAPSED DISTRICT”.

 

Q:  Why does it cost so much to renovate the existing high school into a middle school?

A: Our high school is below current building code in many areas. Someexamples are lack of handicapped entrances, no fire suppression systems andan outdated fire alarm system. Other areas that need attention include theheating system, roof replacement, electrical systems and technology upgrades.Although the cost to renovate is expensive, $20,698,116, it is lower than thecost of building a new middle school which that cost $34,037,525. If SWLdecided to build a new middle school, we would need an additional $13 million,all locally funded, to build new. It is simply less expensive to renovate.

 

Q:  Why is SWL spending so much money on upgrades to the elementary schools?

 

A:  The cost to renovate SWL’s existing buildings is $19,778,023, far less than building three new buildings, which would cost well over $38,000,000.  SWL can, with the state’s help, renovate our elementary buildings, meeting the educational needs of our SWL students, while adding in needed safety measures and space.  SWL also believes that these buildings are a valuable part of their neighborhoods, and we need to maintain the history and importance of each of the buildings. 

 

Q:  Why isn’t SWL fixing the middle school and using that building as the needed fourth elementary?

A: The cost to renovate SWL’s existing buildings is $19,778,023, far less thanbuilding three new buildings, which would cost well over $38,000,000. SWLcan, with the state’s help, renovate our elementary buildings, meeting theeducational needs of our SWL students, while adding in needed safetymeasures and space. SWL also believes that these buildings are a valuable partof their neighborhoods, and we need to maintain the history and importance ofeach of the buildings.

 

Q: Why isn’t SWL fixing the middle school and using that building as the needed fourth elementary?
A: SWL believes the middle school building is in good shape. But, when doing the “FACILITIES ASSESSMENT” state officials (“OFCC”) said it would cost over
$2,000,000 more to renovate the current middle school than to build a new elementary building. (It’s cheaper to build new, so the building is now “OFF LINE”.) SWL will keep the building and maximize its uses for purposes such as pre-school, transportation, district offices, etc. Any work done to this building (except “ABATEMENT”) will be paid through “LFIs”.

 

Q:  Why isn’t SWL fixing the old Etna school building?

A:  Like the middle school, the Etna building would cost too much to fix, so it is “OFF LINE”.  The SWL board of education will have three options: 1) “ABATE” the building and sell the building and the land. 2) Tear the building down and sell the land. 3) Tear the building down and keep the land.  The land is at a prime location, and the SWL board will make the decision based on interest in the location.

 

Q: Why is SWL incorporating Locally Funded Initiatives (“LFI”) into its projects?

A: The “OFCC” will not provide some items that local school districts, including SWL, think are essential.  Examples include sloped roofs, more durable flooring, energy efficiency upgrades, enlarging core areas of the high school in order to prepare for enrollment increases, and including an auditorium in the high school.  SWL is including such items because we believe they will either reduce operating costs, enhance educational opportunities, or both.

 

Q:  Why is the “LFI” amount lower now than in November?

A:  The SWL board of education decided to place the “BOND ISSUE” back on the ballot in May.  In doing so, the board made a financial decision to not raise the original cost of the total project. We know that as time passes, prices go up. New “ASSESSMENTS” were completed on the elementary school buildings resulting in a higher cost to renovate these buildings.  Because of these increases, the board needed to lower the “LFI” dollar amount.  Items were placed “ON HOLD”, and if “BIDS” come in lower than expected, the board could add “LFIs” back into the project.

 

Q:  Home values are going up, and more homes are being built.  Isn’t SWL getting more money because of this?

A:  “PROPERTY VALUATIONS” may increase, but when voters approve a certain number of “MILLS”, they are actually voting for the collection of a specified amount of money.  Home values may increase, and more homes may be built, but that specific amount remains the same.  The good news for taxpayers:  As new homes are built and occupied, more homes are contributing to that specific amount.  So, individually, our tax rate decreases because more people are contributing to that specified amount.

 

Q:  How will SWL pay for the upkeep and maintenance of these buildings?

A: You, the voters, have already approved the half “MILL” permanent improvement maintenance levy that the state requires. 

 

Q:  Can the money from the “BOND ISSUE” be used for salaries, or other “OPERATIONAL COSTS”?

A:  No.  The “BOND ISSUE” can only be used for building, renovating and/or improving our SWL school facilities.  This includes the “LFIs” previously discussed. 

 

Q:  How will SWL afford all the additional staffing needs in the new/remodeled buildings?

A:  Our current buildings are overcrowded. Our projected additional needs are three (3) custodians, two (2) secretaries, five (5) teachers, one (1) guidance counselor, one (1) building principal, and one (1) “TOSA”/assistant principal.  Our treasurer, Richard Jones has already projected these salaries into our budget. 

 

Q:  Will SWL need to pass another “LEVY” once the buildings are complete?

A:  Regardless of this building project, in the fall of 2014, SWL will need to “RENEW” the current “EMERGENCY OPERATING LEVY”.  The “EMERGENCY OPERATING LEVY” is being used for our current programing and personnel.  If additional funds are requested, it could also be used for future programing, like “STEM”, “DUAL ENROLLMENT”, and “ALL DAY, EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN”.

 

Q:  Will we have the option for “ALL DAY, EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN” when the “BOND ISSUE” passes?

A:  Yes, it would allow the option to provide “ALL DAY, EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN”.  SWL has installed 9 “MODULAR CLASSROOMS” which are all in use.  “ALL DAY, EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN” would require a more permanent space for our children, which would be developed when the “BOND ISSUE” is passed.  It’s important to mention that SWL hears this request frequently from our families, and the board of education strongly believes this is a very valuable need for the children in our district.  Passing the “BOND ISSUE” will give us the space needed to provide this service, but as stated above, we would need the voters to approve an “OPERATING LEVY” to hire additional teachers for our children.

 

Q:  If SWL needs new facilities, why did the school spend money putting in artificial turf at the football field?

A: Absolutely no district money was spent on the installation of this turf.  The money to install the turf was raised independently from the school.  SWL is extremely proud of the volunteers that dedicated numerous hours of time and hard work, along with the generosity of both the personal and business donors that made this dream happen.

 

Q:  Why aren’t we building new athletic facilities?

A: The “OFCC” focus is on education and educational space. SWL, however, has made a decision to set aside money to address the current and future needs of all our athletic facilities.  This includes looking at the old middle school and redeveloping locker rooms in order to separate high school and middle school students.

 

Q:  When will our kids be in the new elementary and high school?

A:  The two new schools will be completed approximately three (3) years after the “BOND ISSUE” is passed.  This includes one year to design and two years to build, furnish and get ready for occupancy.  Estimated occupancy of the new schools would be the fall of 2017. The old high school and the three existing elementary schools will be renovated on a timetable determined by the architects and SWL.

 

Q:  What will the new buildings look like?

A:  “OFCC” requires guidelines for size, academic space, technology, security and safety features.  But, YOU, the community will help decide appearances.  Local communities have the ability to help design and build these schools to best serve the unique needs of their community. 

 

Q. What is the breakdown in cost for the Master Plan