Cost for bond issue, what it pays for

Friday, September 19, 2014

Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part feature regarding the proposed bond issue for USD 234.

As a USD 234 bond issue heats up, questions and concerns are being raised about the $40.8 million plan to make needed district-wide improvements at all four school buildings and the district stadium.

USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham, USD 234 Board of Education President Jordan Witt and other members of a bond committee formed this summer have been out in the community in recent months, fielding questions from taxpayers and spreading information about the bond issue in the community.

The bond question is scheduled to be put in front of voters during the November election.

A slate of public forums designed to provide information and hear feedback from taxpayers leading up to November has been scheduled, with the first forum to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Fort Scott High School media center.

"The purpose (of the forums) is to make patrons feel welcome in each building" as well as answer any questions related to the bond issue or planned projects, Beckham said.

Beckham and Witt said conversations they have had with community members have been primarily positive, with a few questions and concerns coming up during the talks.

"I feel a lot of positive momentum," Beckham said. He added that only about one or two people out of every 10 people he talks to about the bond issue have concerns about voting in favor of the proposal.

"People want to understand the improvements at the high school, which has the biggest needs in my opinion," Witt said. "We're addressing district-wide needs" with the bond issue, he said.

Beckham said the two main questions officials have fielded from taxpayers are: "How much will it cost the individual?" and "What exactly are the projects for our students?"

According to information from the district, the estimated monthly cost for residential property owners, if the bond issue is approved, will be an additional $4.07 per month for the owner of a $50,000 home, $6.11 for the owner of a $75,000 home and $8.15 for the owner of a $100,000 home.

For commercial property owners, the monthly cost would be $8.85 for property valued at $50,000, $13.28 for property valued at $75,000 and $17.71 for property valued at $100,000. For agricultural property owners, the annual cost would be $75.28 for owners of 160 acres of dry crop land and $17.95 for 160 acres of grassland.

Projects scheduled to be completed if the bond issue is approved, as well as their estimated costs, include structural needs ($60,000), energy improvements ($9.8 million), safety and security improvements ($14.3 million), improvements to building shells, parking lots and drainage ($1.1 million), upgrade finishes in commons areas ($4.8 million), upgrade of classroom finishes ($2 million), renovation of the high school auditorium ($1.6 million), athletic improvements ($3.3 million), and a new auxiliary gymnasium ($3.7 million).

District-wide improvements include upgrade of fire alarms, security and technology systems, replacement of kitchen appliances and refrigeration when necessary, repair and tuck pointing of masonry, upgrade of exterior doors for Americans with Disability Act accessibility and security, improvement of parent and bus pick-up and drop-off points, repair of drive and parking surfaces, grading of perimeter of buildings to create positive drainage, upgrade of mechanical systems at elementary buildings and replacement of mechanical systems at the high school.

Planned improvements to the district stadium include updating entrances to comply with ADA standards, as well as renovation and improvement of the existing stadium with artificial turf, irrigation, new field lighting and construction of new storage building/changing rooms on site. All buildings would also include high-wind shelters for additional classrooms designed to withstand 250-mph winds.

One concern voiced by some citizens has regarded installation of artificial turf at the football stadium. Some citizens are not in support of this improvement.

"Turf renovations are less than 2 percent of the proposed cost of the bond issue," Beckham said. The turf would provide a "more consistent surface" and a lower annual cost to maintain than the current grass field. The current cost for the district for maintenance of the grass field is $70,000 annually, Beckham said.

"In a matter of about 10 years, it will pay for itself," he said. "And eventually it will be a cost savings."

Witt said the football field is not used only by the football team. The band also uses the field for practices and Witt said more events could be held there in the future.

"For some, it's (turf) seen as a luxury," he said.

Witt and Beckham said they have also spoken with students about their opinions on the proposed school improvements.

"This year's seniors know what they've done without," Witt said. "They say, 'Where was this two years ago?"

Witt added that he has talked with his own children, who are students in the district, in detail about the bond issue and improvements. He said his children feel especially glad about the addition of high-wind shelters, especially after the devastating EF5 tornado in Joplin, Mo., in 2011.

See Saturday's Tribune for Part 2, which will feature the project time line and more project details.