Be Informed

The Oct. 10 edition of the Summerland Advocate Messenger included a section of frequently asked questions regarding the proposed Summerland school building project.

Questions and responses were supplied by Bobcats Unite, a group of volunteers from Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard communities who have been researching the issue, finding answers to questions and presenting information to the public.

This article contains the second half of questions and responses.

Summary Statements

(based on projections):

• Efficiency alone results in savings by 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Efficiency and tax credits result in savings by 2023-24 fiscal year.

• Efficiency, tax credits, and windmill dollars result in savings by 2022-23 fiscal year.

• Net tax impact of project is nearly negated by 21-22 fiscal year.

• Net tax impact increase of four cents is more than likely never realized due to tax credit and wind tower dollars.

Why was the proposed location selected and were other sites considered?

Early on in the joint board discussions, different possibilities for site locations were considered. The three boards came to the conclusion that a central site was the best option and would likely have the most support from each community. The central location of the proposed site, a seller willing to sell at the appraised value of the site, and the topography of the site allowing certain design features with limited dirt work were the reasons that this specific location was ultimately determined to be the best site for the project.

Why is now the right time to run these bond issues?

There are several factors in place that make now a preferred time to run these bond issues. Clearwater and Orchard's participation in the unified district expires in June of 2020. Each district has determined it is in their best interest to pursue a different solution for their students and patrons. This solution must be in place several months prior to the expiration date to effectively carried out. A feasibility study was conducted that makes it very clear that a new district made up of Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard, with a new building would eliminate the need for investment in current facility upgrades, creates a tremendous amount of operational savings by existing in one site, has an immediate impact on program offerings and post-secondary opportunities for students, creates a new district with a viable enrollment for many years into the future, and takes advantage of significant interest savings due to a low bond rate environment. Now is the right time for this project because we must look at how to provide a more efficient and quality education for our students.

What will happen with the existing facilities?

The existing facilities have undergone an assessment by the architects. While the elementary school in Ewing has outlived its useful life, the other facilities or portions of, can be repurposed for alternate uses such as community centers or other public or private facilities. One conversation has occurred with a local business in one of the communities regarding using their site for business expansion, additional jobs, and the potential for more families to move to the area. Upon a successful bond election, the school boards will further pursue these types of opportunities for the current sites to find the best path forward for each community.

Is there the possibility for improvements to the roads leading to the new school?

Improvements to the existing roads leading to the proposed site is an important issue to the stakeholders in the three districts. While there are no funds built into this bond issue for such improvements, school officials have communicated and will continue to communicate with county and/or state officials about procedures to prioritize and implement road improvements.

Will there be a reduction of current staff?

The feasibility study does indicate that once the district is merged and all students and staff are on the same site, that significant operational efficiency will be achieved by requiring less staff to deliver curriculum and provide support. The feasibility study includes a reduction of approximately 17 certificated staff and four paraprofessionals and still meet the needs on one site. Much, if not all, of this reduction can happen through natural attrition, such as retirements or people taking different jobs prior to the opening of the school in fall 2021. Across the three school districts there are currently over 20 staff members that meet the age requirements for retirement in the Nebraska system. Several staff members have indicated to administration that this is their intention while many others may be waiting to see if the bond passes and will have one to two years to make that decision. Potential retirements and the average number of certificated and non-certificated staff resignations per year would more than likely result in all or most of this reduction occurring through natural attrition.

How will a new school impact education of our students such as course offerings and learning experiences?

Every curricular area at the high school will have expanded opportunities for students in the new school. High school students will have access to over 700 credits on day one in the new school, compared to about 430 on average in our current facilities. Having all subject area faculty within the same building and a larger student enrollment allows for more flexibility in scheduling, as well as additional course offerings and learning opportunities every day. Expanded offerings in agriculture, business, health science, and industrial technology will lead to more possibilities for additional career programs of study. We will also have additional classes in the fine arts areas. Elementary students will have greater opportunities for enrichment, time with specialized teachers, and support for students with disabilities.

What improvements to the vocational and agriculture programs will our students experience in the new school?

Increased opportunity for students in these areas is an exciting benefit to coming together at one site. Having all subject area instructors and students in the same building allows for participation in FFA, additional course/credit offerings, and overall expansion and improved effectiveness of these programs. Our students will be better prepared for life after high school and to impact the agriculture and industrial economies of our towns and rural area.

If the bond passes, when would construction begin and when would students be in the new facility?

A successful bond issue in November would allow for construction to begin in the spring or early Summer of 2020. The anticipated move in date would be fall 2021. The location of the project allows for all of the work to be done with no disruption to the school day at current sites.

Will more information be shared with the public and who can I ask if I have questions?

A group of community members called Bobcats Unite is currently working to gather and organize specific information about the project to make sure everyone is well informed and that all questions are answered. They will be providing bond issue information through a website, social media, small group meetings and public information meetings and mailings.

Website address:

http://www.bobcatsunite.com

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/Bobcats Unite-Summerland Building Project

What if our enrollment continues to go down over the next 20 years?

The 2018-19 PreK-12 enrollment of the three districts combined was 430 students. Based on the birth to age five census counts for the next four years, until year 2022-23, the anticipated preK-12 enrollment of the three districts would be 433, 426, 440 and 437, respectively. The data we currently have available indicates stable or even growing enrollment. If one wanted to project a worst case scenario or a projected enrollment decrease of 30-50 students over 20 years ,we would then have a district of approximately 380-400 students, a 20-year-old school building with no more bond debt and a tax levy that would be one of the lowest in the area.

What if it costs more than the bond amount to build the new school?

Hausmann Construction is the construction manager at risk. They have provided a project budget amount based on the architect's conceptual design, current cost of materials and recent cost from other schools and similar facilities in the region. If there is approval for the project, they will work with school district and design team to ensure the project is designed within the project budget, and ultimately establish a guaranteed maximum price at or below the approved bond issuance amount of $34.3 million. If they go beyond this GMP, it is at their own expense. There are contingencies built into the budget that will allow for minor design changes. The school district, architect and construction manager will work together to make sure the project stays within the bond amount. The only way the district would be responsible for any increased cost would be if we change the design significantly or add additional scope to the project, so bottom line: $34.3 million will be the maximum amount. 

Will there be initial equal representation on the new school board and for how long?

The initial Summerland School Board would have two members from each original district's board - two from Clearwater, two from Ewing and two from Orchard, for a total of six members. One board member from each original district would have a short term, meaning they would be appointed from June 2020-January 2023. One board member from each original district would have a long term, meaning they would be appointed from June 2020-January 2025. After these members' terms are completed, board members would be elected on an at-large basis.  

Will there be zoning limitations put into place so businesses in our towns aren't replaced by a new business being built out by the school?

Protecting the long-term viability of the businesses in the three communities is extremely important. Having zoning limitations put into place by the county to assist with this would be supported.

What happens if the bonds don't pass?

There is no easy solution for what will happen if the bond issues do not pass. Things could stay the same or districts may choose to operate on their own or pursue some other solution. As shown under a previous question, more than likely the cost to district tax payers will actually be more over the years without solving many of our urgent concerns if an efficient solution is not put into place. While the bonds not passing may be a reality that must be addressed, right now the focus is on becoming a more efficient and thriving district for our students and communities that actually provides a better fiscal result for our patrons than operating separately.