By Mark Messman
Superintendent EV-W Schools
I hope the summer is allowing time for you to relax, recharge, and enjoy your favorite activities with friends and family. School district business, planning and compliance continues throughout the summer and I’ve provided some timely facility information below.
Following the updates and recommendations provided by the Facility Listening Sessions and Task Force Meetings, the School Board took action at a regularly scheduled meeting on July 11 to unanimously approve $8,000,000 in bonds to improve safety, enhance security, and replace failing mechanical, electrical, and air-quality systems throughout the district’s three-building model.
Board members weighed multiple facility proposals and building configurations including a new PreK-12 facility for $52 million, a new 7-12 facility located next to the Eden Valley Elementary School for $45 million, closing Watkins and adding classroom space at Eden Valley Elementary for $14.9 million, or renovate and upgrade our existing three-building model for $12.4 million. The Board agreed with Listening Session and Task Force feedback, that upgrading our current 3 building model was the most fiscally responsible and publicly endorsed option to pursue.
You will find a detailed list of identified needs and costs located on the District’s website under the Facilities tab. Board members took weeks, and multiple work sessions, to prioritize and narrow over $12 million in identified needs down to the approved $8 million listed on the concept budget “also located on the district’s website.” Please keep in mind, this is a working draft and some changes in priorities and modified costs may take place. At this point, all of the green colored items are top priority needs, with those in yellow remaining part of the “improvement” conversation.
There will not be a second facility question on the November 6 General Election Ballot, and over $6 million in identified needs have been postponed, moved to the LTFM (Long Term Facility & Maintenance) column to be addressed if and when future state and district funds become available.
Please take a moment to review the EVW Concept Budget on the district’s website and provide your school officials and board members with feedback. As stakeholders in the school-community, I would encourage you to engage in the conversations and invest in your successful school system to ensure a bright future for generations to come.
Thank you,
Mark Messman
Superintendent