Greene County High School would be expanded, with a host of new amenities, to house grades 5-12 if the Greene County Community School District can pass a $20 million bond issue in September.Parking would no longer be in short supply at the high school and elementary school in Jefferson if the school district can pass a bond issue in September.

Voters to take up $20 million bond issue

School ballot issue on Sept. 8 would revamp two buildings, shutter two others

Staff report

The Greene County Community School District will ask voters in September to approve 24 new classrooms, an expanded performing arts suite, a new varsity gym and more at the high school, all heated and cooled with geothermal technology, in addition to more classrooms at the elementary school.

The school board will even throw in better parking at both sites.

But when voters head to the polls on Sept. 8, a $20 million bond referendum will likely hinge on whether they want to close the Intermediate School in Grand Junction and the 99-year-old Middle School in Jefferson.

The school board last Wednesday held a special meeting to accept petitions calling for the referendum, which will largely drop the district down to two buildings — both in Jefferson.

From potential costs for taxpayers to why the district wants to install a geothermal HVAC system, Superintendent Tim Christensen provided the following Q&A on the bond issue, which would also see the district’s administrative offices move to the high school.

The current administration building would be deeded to the Greene County Early Learning Center.

Q: Why is the Greene County School District considering a bond referendum?
 

A: The Greene County School District is considering a bond referendum for several reasons:

• Operate as efficiently as possible in order to make the best use of tax dollars

• Provide students the best educational opportunities possible

• New/updated facilities best suited for teaching/learning

• Savings in costs to operate and maintain facilities can be used to provide additional opportunities for students

• Updated secure entrances

• Close proximity to Law Enforcement Center

• Easy access to emergency medical care at Greene County Medical Center

• New/updated facilities to compete favorably for student enrollment

Q: What construction projects will be included with the overall project?
A: Elementary

• New secure Elementary School entrance

• Fourth grade classroom block addition (four new classrooms)

• New parental drop-off lane

• Increased parking capacity    
Intermediate

• Close Intermediate building

• Find an outside entity to repurpose the Intermediate School
Middle School

• Close Middle School

• Find an outside entity to repurpose the Middle School
Middle School gym

• Renovate locker rooms and lobby area and continue to use the gym for sub-varsity competition

• Demolish building link to 1916 structure
High School

• New secure middle school entrance

• Middle school classroom addition (four new classrooms)

• Segregated middle school bus loop and parking

• New secure high school entrance

• District and high school administration addition

• Expanded performing arts suite

• Segregated high school bus loop

• New high school classroom block, cafeteria and competition gym addition (24 new classrooms)

• Wrestling room addition

• Enclosed weight room access link addition

• Increased parking capacity (parking for Ram Restaurant)

• Updated finishes to the existing classroom spaces

• Geothermal HVAC upgrade

• Fire lane/improved site circulation

District administration building

Deed to Greene County Early Learning Center

Q: What would the grade configurations be if the bond referendum passed?

A: If the bond referendum passed, we would ultimately move into two buildings: A PK to fourth grade building and a fifth grade to 12th grade building.

The fifth grade to 12th grade building would have a separate entrance for grades 5-8 and grades 9-12.

There would be designated classrooms, lunchroom, gymnasium, etc. for grades 5–8 and grades 9-12. There would be minimal interaction between fifth to eighth grade students and ninth to 12th grade students.

Q: What is the estimated total cost of the project?

A: The estimated total cost for the project is $22,800,000.  

This is the estimated total design, construction and bonding cost for the items above.  
Shive-Hattery architects and engineers and financial adviser Piper Jaffray determined the estimated costs.

Q: How much is the referendum?

A: The referendum is for $20,000,000.

The additional $2,800,000 would be accessed by borrowing against the voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy previously approved by district patrons.

Q: Where did this list of projects come from?

A: A Facility Study Committee consisting of citizens from across the school district, three board members, teachers from each building and district administrators have met over the last year to discuss the facility needs of the school district.

Last fall, the school board approved working with Shive-Hattery architects and engineers to look at recommendations in more detail and to formalize a plan.

The list of projects were a result of the Facility Study Committee meeting with Shive-Hattery representatives.

Q: If the bond referendum passes, how will it affect my property taxes?

A: Property taxes for bond issues are calculated on net taxable value — not assessed or market value. The appropriate rollback and homestead credit need to be applied before calculating the total annual tax.

The current blended property tax levy for the 2015-16 school year is $12.47 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The proposed bond referendum would add a debt service levy of $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The new rate would be $15.17 per $1,000 of taxable value.

For a homeowner with a house assessed at $100,000, the annual increase in total property taxes — after the rollback to 55.7 percent and the homestead credit are applied — is $148.50 a year, or $12.38 a month.

For a commercial property owner with a building assessed at $100,000, the annual increase in total property taxes — after a rollback to 90 percent is applied — is $243 a year, or $20.25 a month.

Agricultural ground is taxed on its productivity, not market value.

The average productivity value of farm ground in the Greene County School District is $2,160 per acre. Therefore, the annual increase in total property taxes to an average acre in the Greene County district, after a rollback to 44.7 percent is applied, is $2.55 per acre a year.

Q: How does Greene County’s total tax rate compare to other school districts?

A: Greene County’s current tax rate is $12.51. If the bond issue passes, the tax rate for next year is calculated to be $15.21.

Below are the current tax rates for area school districts. If they have a debt service levy, it is indicated in () but is part of the total dollar figure.

Panorama: $12.70 ($2.30)

Ogden: $14.28 ($0)

Boone: $18.20 ($2.87)

North Polk: $19.94 ($4.04)

Gilbert: $18 ($3.72)

Saydel: $12.85 ($1.50)

Nevada: $16.65 ($1.79)

Perry: $17.71 ($2.20)

Carroll: $8.90 ($0)

Q: After the referendum is passed, can the list of construction projects be changed?

A: No, it cannot be changed.  The district is obligated to construct only the projects that are specified.

Q: What happens if the construction bids for the projects come back higher than $20 million?

A: The Greene School Board has two options available if bids for the construction projects come back higher than the amount allowed by the bond referendum.

The first is to direct the architects and engineers to review and critically analyze the construction plans to try to discover ways to make the projects more economical without sacrificing quality.

The second is to allocate other district resources like sales tax funds or Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) funds toward the construction of the projects to make up the difference.

Q: Why was a geothermal system selected for the 5-12 facility?

A: The existing high school mechanical/HVAC systems are nearing or at the end of their useful life. Repair and maintenance costs of the existing systems will continue to rise while indoor air quality will continue to decline.

The district feels that now is the time to update these systems as part of the overall construction project so that more acceptable conditions may be provided for the students.

System selection focused on finding the right balance between comfort, energy efficiency and upfront costs. This required an understanding of life cycle costs as well as upfront costs so that a value-based decision could be made.

A geothermal ground source system was determined to provide this balance.

While upfront costs are greater than conventional systems, energy consumption, operational costs and maintenance costs will all decrease.

Total savings will more than pay the difference in upfront costs over the life of the system and the students benefit from the improved indoor air quality.

Payback for installing a geothermal system in lieu of a conventional system on average is 10 years or less. Often, such high performance systems qualify for significant rebates from local utility providers, making this option even more attractive.

The advantages the geothermal system provide were deemed to be the best value for the district and is the basis for the recommendation.

Q: What will happen to the current district administration building?

A: Relocating the district administration offices would also make it possible to make the administration building available to the Greene County Early Learning Center, which currently leases over half the building from the school district.

This would enable expansion of the Greene County Early Learning Center.

Q: If the bond referendum passes, what will the savings be to the district?

A: Busing: $66,780 (18,000 miles per year at $3.71 per mile total cost)

Administration: $110,000

Teachers/counselors: $70,000

Custodial: $75,000

Food service: $40,000

Q: When would construction start if the bond referendum passes Sept. 8?

A: The first step after passage is for the school district to sell the bonds that fund the construction.

Almost immediately, the architects and engineers will begin the process of designing and creating construction-ready blueprints and other bid documents.

The next step is to put the projects out for bid. The school board will choose the contractors based on the submitted bids.

It is most likely that projects would begin next summer.   

Q: What is the predicted interest rate on the bonds?

A: Matt Gillespie of Piper Jaffray, the district’s bonding firm, estimates that the anticipated average rate for the bonds, if sold next spring, would be 4 percent.

Q: Does the bond referendum include funds for furnishings?

A: Where appropriate, a very small portion of the funds would be used for furnishings.

Q: Who can vote on the bond referendum?

A: Anyone who lives in the district, is 18 years of age and is registered to vote can cast a ballot on Sept. 8.

A person who is not registered to vote can register at the polling place that same day by providing proof of age and residence.

Q: Where are the polling places on Sept. 8 and what are the hours?

A: The polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the following places:

Grand Junction: St. Brigid Parish Center

Jefferson: Greene County courthouse

Rippey: Rippey Community Center/Public Library

Scranton: Scranton City Hall

An individual can call the Greene County auditor at 515-386-5680 to find out what precinct they live in.

Q: Can I vote by absentee ballot?

A: Yes, you can vote by absentee ballot. This can be done in person or by mail.

You can vote absentee ballot in person by going to the Greene County Auditor’s Office up until 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 4.

You can vote absentee by mail by requesting an absentee ballot from the Greene County Auditor’s Office. You can return it to the auditor’s office by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 or mail it back and make sure it is postmarked on or before Sept. 5.

Monday, Sept. 7, is Labor Day and a postal holiday.

Q: Where can I get an absentee ballot?

A: An absentee ballot request form can be obtained from the Greene County Auditor’s Office or downloaded from www.co.greene.ia.us.

Q: How long would it take to pay off the bonds?

A: The bonds would be paid off over the course of 20 years.

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161