More than 100 persons attended at least one of a series of town hall meetings hosted earlier this month by the Pay It Forward committee, a volunteer group promoting passage of a $19.4 million bond issue proposed by the Greene County Schools.
The bond issue would pay the larger portion of a $22.2 million construction project that will lead to the district having only two attendance centers, both in Jefferson. According to proponents, the project would create safer, more efficient schools with improved learning environments, and save the district $360,000 annually in operating costs.
The meetings held at the Middle School in Jefferson and the Intermediate School in Grand Junction drew between 40 and 50 persons each and included a tour of the building led by architect Mark Allen of Shive-Hattery Inc. Allen completed a study of those two vintage buildings (built in 1916 and 1915, respectively) and the district’s other three buildings earlier this year.
Most of the information presented at the meetings is available at www.gccsdbondissue.info.
Retired physician Dr Steve Karber outlined the proposed project. He began the Grand Junction meeting with recalling his school days sitting in the same room, with band director Chuck Radke.
Karber said that one of the things that struck him after touring the Middle School the previous evening was the size of the classrooms. Some of the classrooms there are 550 square feet. The current standard for classrooms is 900 square feet. “We need room for interactive teaching. We no longer do four rows of desks with however many desks per row. We have kids moving around from table to table. We’ve got computers. We’ve got assistants. We just need more room,” he said.
A similar bond issue proposal failed by a wide margin last September, and voters have questioned how this proposal is different. Karber explained that the current proposal has $600,000 less in construction costs and more funds from the current physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) are included to cover total cost. The failed proposal was for $20 million in bonds and a total project cost of $22.8 million.
The competition gym in the plans for new construction at the high school was a point of contention in the 2015 election. Karber talked about the challenge of hosting basketball games at the current gym with only two locker rooms available, and he explained the seating requirements of the Iowa High School Athletic Association for hosting any tournament games. He said the gym would be used for high school phys. ed. classes during the day, as well as for community events like concerts and graduation. “The gym is what most people who visit our community see first. It’s a place we can show ourselves off,” he said.
Karber acknowledged that eliminating the Intermediate School as an attendance center would be “a loss for the community. There’s no question about that.”
During the question and answer period Rippey resident Ned Johnston asked if the project includes funds to raze the Grand Junction building.
Architect Allen answered that the intention is to repurpose the old school buildings. “To take an old building and put the type of investment into that building to bring it up to address issues as a public entity, as a school, that’s a tough pill to swallow,” Allen said. “But take a business model and put it into a revenue-generating solution, it becomes a viable business plan. People are able to repurpose those buildings. There are a number of examples out there.”
Karber suggested that the location of the Middle School in the Main Street district in Jefferson may make some grant funds available for repurposing.
Karber also acknowledged that because the bonds will be repaid with funds generated by property tax, farmers will pay 75 percent of the cost. He explained the average assessed value per acre of farmland in the county is $2,146. At a rate of $2.54 per year per acre, “if you have a lot of property, that’s a lot of money,” he said. The increase in annual tax bills would be between $3,000 and $7,000 for farmers.
The owner of a house assessed at $125,000 would pay an increase of $159.12 per year.
“I think this is a great project. I think it’s the best way to spend our money. But you’ve got to look at all this information and decide,” he said. “We’re a biased committee. We are passionate about it. We want this to pass. We’re trying to give you this information, but you have to process it and decide.”
Architect Allen’s study of the existing buildings came up an estimated cost of $26 million to make them viable for the next 25-30 years. Not all of the projects need to be done immediately, but the Middle School roof needs to be repaired in the next few years.
Catherine Glenn asked the question that many people have thought: “Why wasn’t some of this taken care of gradually, like a homeowner would do?”
Included in the $26 million is features to make the vintage buildings compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “The ADA went into effect in 1989. Why hasn’t this been fixed since 1989?” Glenn asked.
Kate Neese, who is a member of the Pay It Forward committee and served on the East Greene school board, told Glenn that years ago the school paid $33,000 to install a lift at the Rippey building for a wheelchair-bound student, but the student didn’t end up attending school there.
There was dialog among those at the meeting. “Is there no money in the grand budget set aside for maintenance and taking care of present structures? That’s what really baffles my mind,” Johnston said.
“How do you make a classroom larger? You’ve got a 1916 building with 500-square-foot classrooms…. How do you make those rooms in that structure bigger? What will you find if you start tearing out walls?” Bill Monroe answered.
Pay It Forward committee member Mark Vander Linden said PPEL funds are available for maintenance. “When we tour the (Intermediate) building you’ll see the custodial staff has taken good care of it. You can take good care and keep it clean and keep fresh paint on it and keep it looking nice, but you’ve still got a deteriorating building,” he said.
Wayne Hougham, transportation/building/grounds director for the district, said the district has to stay within its budget for maintenance and that jobs are prioritized. Just a few years ago, $500,000 was spent to replace half the roof on the high school, which was built in 1965. “With five buildings, it’s very hard to address everything,” he said.
Allen was asked about the project estimate. He said the cost to complete would not exceed $22.2 million, and that when the final plans are drawn, there will be “add ons” and “deducts” listed should bids come in lower or higher than expected. The estimated also doesn’t include furnishings, and excess funds from the bond issue could go toward that expense. The cost estimate equates to $185 per square foot.
The bond issue is on the ballot for Sept. 13, along with electing a board member to fill the term of Susan Burkett, who resigned last January. Mike Dennhardt was appointed to fill the vacancy until it can be filled by election.
Polls will be open from 7 am until 8 pm at Scranton city hall, the Rippey Community Center/library, St Brigid Parish Center in Grand Junction, and Clover Hall at the fairgrounds in Jefferson.
Requests for absentee ballots are available from the Greene County auditor. The actual ballots are not yet available because the deadline for nominations for the board seat is not until Aug. 19.
