Last year a community-based Facilities Task Force developed a detailed list of the projects it viewed as important to the district over the next 20 years. The next step was to get price tags for each site and project. This cost information was presented to the Eden Valley-Watkins School Board at its Jan. 11 regular meeting.
All together, these projects could cost $26.7 million. This includes both ?Äúneeds?Äù and ?Äúwants?Äù for the district. The next step for the board is to prioritize the projects and to plan them in phases spread out as part of a 20-year master plan.
The task force and the board all agree that the top priorities must be the 1927 portion of the secondary school, and secure entrances at the elementary schools.
The costs presented to the board Jan. 11 were packaged as campus projects, for the board to have an idea of cost. Each project can and will be prioritized separately. Keep in mind, too, that no plans have been drawn up yet, so these costs are estimates. That said, here is the information with cost projections.
Eden Valley Secondary
(Total $5,825,728)
1927 Building Improvements: upgrade existing heating and ventilation systems to meet air quality needs; replace plumbing infrastructure for longevity and maintenance; replace existing student toilets to meet ADA accessibility; Repurpose existing cafeteria/stage for student Dining/Learning Commons. $2,715,375
Provide Learning Space Upgrades: create small-group learning areas to meet student needs; provide appropriate space for Middle School learning programs. $1,053,000
Deferred Maintenance Needs (non-levy funding may be available for a portion): exterior envelope (tuckpointing and brick repair, and replace exterior doors and frames; roofing repairs; interior finishes refurbishing; lighting upgrades; power and data upgrades; air quality and ventilation in welding shops, science, district office, girls?Äô locker room, computer lab, and Aux. Gym/performance; Roof drain repair at east side of weight room area; sidewalks and other site repairs. $2,118,350
Eden Valley Elementary
(Total $4,850,625)
Improve Building Safety/Security & Accessibility: create new secure front entry including front office monitoring; repurpose existing office area to accommodate secure entry; renovate existing toilet rooms to meet ADA accessibility. $1,071,460
Provide for Learning Space Upgrades: provide addition for Little Eagles program. $811,200
Deferred Maintenance Needs (non-levy funds may be available for a portion): Exterior envelope including replacing windows and exterior exit/entrance doors; roof repair/replacement (esp. areas that are more than 24 years old); Interior finishes refurbishing including casework and sinks, carpet replacement, doors, painting and touch-up repairs; lighting upgrades and corridors; power upgrades; air quality and ventilation (to replace original 1977 air-handling units); playground updates and surfacing. $2,447,965
Watkins Elementary
(Total $840,719)
Improve Building Safety/Security & Accessibility: create new secure front entry including front office monitoring; repurpose existing office area to accommodate secure entry; provide fire protection system (sprinklers) throughout building). $441,610
Deferred Maintenance Needs (non-levy funds may be available for a portion): Power upgrades; air quality and ventilation, replacing uni-vents with rooftop units and ductwork. $383,500
District-Wide Projects
Football Field and Track Relocation with Concessions Building: new football field and track ($2.65 million); concessions, toilets, team rooms, storage building ($950,000); parking/sidewalks/lighting; and storm drainage for parking lot. $4,075,000
Performance/Auditorium Space at High School: new auditorium addition ($4,606,875); repurpose existing area for support space; relocate district office; and site work revisions. $5,929,875
Locker Rooms/Weights/Wrestling Relocation and Repurposing: new building addition ($4 million); repurpose existing space; and site work revisions. $5,070,000
Following a presentation of the costs by project and campus site by Gary Benson of Kraus-Anderson, Jeff Seeley (above) presented various funding scenarios based on the tax capacity of the district as well as the possible total amount of bonding. Here he points to current tax levy funds in red with the additional new levy in blue, indicating their goal of keeping the total tax impact as level as possible. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.
Gary Benson of Kraus-Anderson presented this information to the board. The earliest that any construction would start is 2018, after plans are drawn up and contracting bids received. He sees ?Äúgreat opportunity?Äù in the 1927 building, with the original high windows for instance.
Parking will be a bigger issue with any construction, Benson explained. The above costs and projects do not include cost of purchasing additional land for parking areas.
The costs do include contingency fees and furnishings. Benson also explained that there are different ?Äúbuckets of money?Äù to draw from, including deferred maintenance bonds that are separate from a voter levy, and that are already included in the district budget.
Jeff Seeley from Ehlers then presented various ways to pay for these projects. Ehlers?Äô job is to work with the district to get the most bang for their buck.
For example, the district can issue a deferred maintenance bond (borrowing against future DM payments) and the state will pay 52 percent of that repayment. The district would have to spend at least $1.7 million to tap into 35-percent state aid on other bonds.
The ideal situation according to Seeley is to keep tax impact on district taxpayers as steady as possible, avoiding a sudden hike in taxes. This is done by paying interest only for the first few years and deferring principal payments. Of course, this increases the cost (interest) on any project, and this is a trade-off for steadier taxes.
Abatement bonds are another form of funding that doesn?Äôt require a vote, but this could only be used for a parking lot. A facility maintenance bond can be used for HVAC air quality and asbestos abatement.
Seeley explained that the district is 35 percent agricultural, 30 percent residential, 18 percent seasonal-recreation, and 12 percent commercial/industrial. The possible 40-percent ag credit would apply to any ag land except the house/garage/1 Acre, and will be retroactive on previous debt, said Seeley.
All agreed they would try for a May 18 vote; this would allow six months for architectural drawings, and to get the best bids in winter.
As this was the board?Äôs organizational meeting, the following were elected: board chair Rob Flaschenriem, vice chair Sarah Kuechle, clerk Lisa Ludwig, treasurer Bob Stenger. Board members were assigned to committees.
The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, for a planning meeting. This meeting is open to the public and your input is invited and welcome. (The district board room is at Door #13 in the back of the high school.)
The next regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.