Citizens for Meeker Schools

Frequently Asked Questions - School Bond Issue

School funding & related questions

- Schools can only receive revenue through:

§   The School Finance Act funds school districts through a formula, payable on a per pupil basis.

§   It dictates how much revenue a district can receive annually for its total program. 

§   The School Finance Act is funded by  local property taxes and state equalization dollars.

§   This funding represents approximately 70% of our district’s annual operating revenue.

§   The district is required to put $200 per student, From this revenue, into their Capital Reserve Fund designed for maintenance.  The purpose of the Capital Reserve Fund is to provide revenue with which to maintain school facilities, purchase/repair equipment, etc.  It is expended annually.

- Schools are not eligible for revenue from any other tax source.  Our school district is the only tax supported entity which does not receive additional revenue realized  from our county’s  increased assessed valuation ,  mineral severance tax monies, etc.

- Does the mill levy freeze (SB 199) give the District additional funding?

§   This formula is funded by local tax dollars and state equalization dollars.

§   Our local taxes will continue to contribute the same number of mills to schools – but more dollars and, hence a larger share of the prescribed School Finance Act funding. 

§   This, in turn, means that the state will pay less.  The  school district will receive the same total dollars.

- Has the District explored other funding opportunities (energy grants, funds, etc) aside from asking the taxpayers?

- What happens to the budgeted monies which are under-spent each year and are rolled back into the School District’s General Fund?  After a number of years is there not a large amount in the General Fund? And could these dollars be used as match dollars for grants instead asking the taxpayers to pay for a $24,000,000 bond?

§   It costs over $450,000 -500,000 a month to cash flow the district

§   Funds to cover emergencies must, also, be kept in the General Fund

§   We are solvent, but there are not adequate dollars to use as match monies for grants

Ballot issue 3A: Mill Levy Override Permanent Extension

Ballot issue 3B: $24,000,000 Bond Issue

A New Elementary School:

1.      Why do we need a new Elementary School?

The present elementary School is not adequate for our present student population.  A new school is being proposed because the existing  one presents multiple health and safety issues.  It does not provide a good learning environment for our young people.

Renovating the existing school building is not a viable option.   The school district’s 2007 Facility Needs Study showed that remodeling would not be cost effective; and the building’s foundation would not support a second story.  Removing the large amount of  encapsulated asbestos would make it even more costly. It should be noted that it costs school districts a lot more to remove asbestos than it does for any other entity.

To mitigate the lack of adequate space, two modular units, housing four temporary classrooms, have been placed on the playground this school year.  There is no room to expand the school on its one city block location; and the electrical, heating and plumbing infrastructure of the seventy year old building need to be replaced.  Fortunately, a temporary fix for the worn out roof has been applied, but will have to be repeated each year the building is used. 

Finally, there’s virtually no dedicated parking and there are no good traffic patterns around the existing school.  The net result is a dangerous environment for picking up and dropping off students. 

Given these realities, there is no question that our young people’s education is best served by a new building.  Their safety and the quality of their education is primary.

2.      How much will it cost to build a new elementary building?

The projected cost of the new Elementary School is $17,399,500.  This is an estimate for a 69,000 square foot building at a cost of $250/square foot.  The per square foot cost of building a school has gone up from $175@ to $250@ in a year’s time.

3.      How long will it take to complete?

If the bond election is successful in November, ground will be broken in late May or June.  Construction of the facility should take 12 – 13 months. And it would be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2010.

4.      Why don’t we renovate the old school? Is this cost-effective?

As stated above, the school district’s 2007 Facility Needs Study proved that renovating the present Elementary School would not be cost effective.  Additionally there is no room to expand it on its present site.  Today an elementary school the size of ours should be on an 8-12 acre site.  Ours presently sits on one city block or 2.5 acres.

5.        What will happen to the old school?  The ground the building sits on belongs to the town of Meeker and

If the building is not used as a school, its ownership reverts to the town.   The school district would like to see the future of the old school addressed collaboratively by the town, county and district.

6.      Why was the site selected?

Student safety and a campus configuration (with its educational advantages) were the main criteria which drove the     

site decision.  

·         Safe bus, vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access to the new school is provided in its design and access across Sulphur Creek.

·         The close proximity to the high school and middle school effect sharing human resources and facilities.

·         A good emergency preparedness plan is provided by  the secondary access  which connects the new school with the high school parking lot.

·         The new school’s playgrounds will not be isolated after school hours by virtue of their proximity to the rec. District and Fairgrounds. 

The site and new school building  have community benefits as well: 

·         The parking lots and roads can be used by the community during events such as the County Fair and during Range Call

·         It is a short walk to the north end of Starbuck Stadium from the parking lot.

·         Easy access to the Rec. Center for after school activities.; and use of school facilities by Rec. Department

·         The new gymnasium and cafeteria (including the stage) can be used by all three schools as well as the community for multiple events.

The sewage will not need to be pumped from the new school.  The grade is very adequate for a sewer line.

7.      Has the district considered the implications of building a bridge in a flood plain?

Yes.  Neenan has researched FEMA’s requirements through an engineering firm.  They are on top of the regulations impacting a bridge across Sulphur Creek; and the related costs have been built into the $24,000,000 bond budget.

8.      Is the design expandable – can we service our growing student population?

The design of our new school provides for easy expansion in the event of future growth.  Additional classroom pods can easily be added on the west end of the classroom wing of the building.

9.      “I don’t have any kids in the elementary school, why should I vote for it?”

Our young people are our future and we have an obligation to provide them with the best possible education in a safe environment.  The quality of a school system impacts people’s decision to move to a community; and, consequently, has an impact economic development and ability to  create a diversified economy 

10.  What’s the tax-impact?

See fact sheet 

11.  Why are there so many issues with the existing Elementary School?  Why haven’t they been addressed effectively over the years?  Will this be the same scenario with a new school?

·        If the building had not been maintained well, we would not be able to hold school in a 70 year old building. 

·        There comes a point when all buildings/houses need to be  remodeled/renovated.  Question # 1 explains why this is not cost effective in terms of our present elementary School.

·        The proposed new building will be very cost effective to maintain and have a long life expectancy.

12.  What will be put up for bids in this construction project?

·        Neenan Archistruction acts as the general contractor and will bid every aspect of the project.

·         The district is in the process of determining the  kind of contract which will best protect its interests and be the most cost effective. 

·         One option would be to hire a private project supervisor to protect the district’s interests and work with Neenan.  This alternative comes with an additional cost, but could save more money in the long run.

·         Initially, the district put a district wide facility needs study out for bid

                                                                           i.      The bids which came back were in the $80-90,000 range – more than Meeker RE-1 felt it could spend

                                                                          ii.      Through other connections and further research, the District contacted Neenan Archistruction Company.

                                                                      iii.      Their cost for a facility needs study was a little over $9,000.  Hence, the district, after thoroughly researching their record, entered into negotiations with the company. 

Middle School  & High School Improvements

2. Why have these not been taken care of through a good maintenance program?

The high school and the middle school have had been well maintained.  They are 50 and 30 years old respectively.  However, there comes a time when components of any building’s infrastructure need to be overhauled or replaced. 

                                                               i.      The district elected to go for this amount based on their data

                                                              ii.      this was a reasonable figure and one which the taxpayers would support

                                                               i.      Approximately 30% of those projects identified will be possible. 

                                                              ii.      The district has chosen to address those things which are critical to student safety, health and creating a positive learning environment.

                                                               i.      When evaluating a grant application, grantors look strongly at evidence of community support for the project. 

                                                              ii.      Additionally, most require match dollars.

                                                            iii.       A successful bond election will meet both criteria

                                                               i.      These grants are through the Department Of Local Affairs

                                                              ii.      We have projects in mind for such grant applications. 

1.        an example would be the cost of the Sulphur Creek bridge, access roads and parking lots for the new elementary school. 

2.        These costs are currently in the budget for the new elementary school, but if grant dollars were successfully accessed, we could put another $900,000 to $1,000,000 into the high school/middle schools.