(1) replacement of aging burners (36 years old) at the High School;

(2) elevator control and lift repair at the High School;

(3) elevator control repairs at the Intermediate School;

(4) demolition and replacement of the bleachers at the CJ Hooker athletic field (the District’s architectural firm has recommended they be taken out of service immediately), and

(5) restoration of windows in the CJ Hooker Middle School auditorium and gymnasium.

The remaining four projects included in this referendum are:

• The replacement of the roof over the Mechanic’s Bay at the Transportation Garage. The roof is leaking, the support decking is deteriorating, and asbestos abatement is required.
• The replacement of the roof over the 3-story portion at the Main Street building because of continuous roof leaks. This also will require an asbestos abatement. The cost of the replacement at the Transportation Garage is $154,000, and at the Main Street building it is $290,000. Also included at the Main Street building is parapet and cap stone repairs.
• The High School track needs repair due to extensive cracking, open seams, areas of depression, and replacement of missing sections of the base mat. The entire track will then be top coated and striped for lap certification and event markings. This project was originally included in the capital project. The cost for this repair is $80,000.
• Repaving of the Intermediate School and High School parking lots and driveways. There is extensive degradation to portions of the exiting parking lots and driveways at both buildings. Without this repair further deterioration will occur. The work to be done at the Intermediate School requires selected areas to be removed and repaved. At the High School, selected areas will be patched, cracks sealed, and the entire parking lot will be top coated. This project was also originally included in the capital project. The cost for this is $373,000.

This entire Facility Improvement Proposition will cost $2,400,000, with seven of the nine projects eligible for State Building Aid at 58.4%. It is essential that our buildings are maintained to keep them safe and in proper condition.

To personalize this for you: The cost for these projects will impact residents of the community in the following way:

• $2,400,000 – Cost of Repairs
• $1,173,885 – Estimated State Aid
  
  If your home is assessed for $200,000: Equates to an additional $20 per year
  If your home is assessed for $300,000: Equates to an additional $30 per year
  If your home is assessed for $400,000: Equates to an additional $40 per year

A Transportation Proposition will also be found on the ballot to request the replacement of two full size buses and one small wheelchair accessible bus. The total cost of the bond is not to exceed $318,500. The full size buses are replacing buses purchased in 1995 and 1996. The smaller wheelchair bus will be replacing a bus that was purchased in 1997. It is less expensive to replace aging buses than it is to try to maintain them. These buses have served us well over their lifetime.

Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools