This is my first attempt at posting a blog. I wanted to get this information up so we could receive some feedback on the upcoming bond election. I will be posting information periodically and also including dates and times of public information sessions that will be held in each of our communities during November.
As you may have heard, we were fortunate enough to have been selected to receive $10.2 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds out of the $75 million available statewide. We believe this shows our projects had some real merit that allowed them to rise to the top of the pile from the $225 million requested statewide. By qualifying for these bonds, if the election is successful, we can save the taxpayers approximately $6.1 million in interest over the life of the bonds, since the interest rate on these bonds is 0%. Should we not have been selected for these QSCBs I don't believe we would have gone out for the bond issue at this point in time.
I felt, and the board agreed, that we owed it to our public to try and do this and save the money on projects that will need to be completed at some point to keep the buildings in operation.
These projects involve unearthing the Elementary School, adding windows and ventilation, installing a new roof, and mechanical upgrades to the building. Also the Middle/High School will get a new ventilation system and heating system. Also a chiller and air quality improvements will be added to help keep temperatures fit for educational purposes. There will be more information posted in the future on these projects.
Brian Corlett