2019 10-15 CC PACKET - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. On Nov 5, voters will lie asked to approve a bond referendum. The bond referendum would support a facilities plan developed from the district's strategic plan, mission and beliefs that: • Accommodates projected enrollment growth • Provides safe, secure Et healthy learning environments for all students through investments in our aging facilities and infrastructure • Increases opportunities for students by Creating a "new" single, unified grade 9-12 high school • Creates flexibly -designed learning spaces to support student -centered instruction A successful bond referendum would allow the district to implement a comprehensive facilities plan that encompasses all district { )uildings and addresses questions that have oeen asked in the community for decades. c The comprehensive plan resulted from cornmunity conversations. The Facilities Plan is the result of a nearly yearlong facilities planning process that included a 90-member Facilities Planning Committee composed of parents, staff and community members. 4. The average age of distr , i• -jo vvFirs,. The oldest building was built in 1918 and the newest building was built in 2006. . A successful bond referendum would address students' needs For years to come. If voters approve the bond referendum on November 5, district facilities would accommodate the Strategic Plan, projected enrollment growth, safety and security improvements, aging facilities and deferred maintenance needs, and the future of �ducationat programming. ON NOVEMBER 5, RESIDENTS WILL VOTE WHETHER our Future TO APPROVE A BOND REFERENDUM FOR SCHOOL NEEDS. NOV. 5 6. Failure to approve the bond referendum would result If the bond does not pass, projected enrollment growth would lead to overcrowded schools, higher class sizes, and insufficient space for educational and community programs. Critical safety, security and maintenance needs would not be addressed. The current split -campus high school experience would continue. Learning spaces would not receive updates to support student -centered instruction. 7. Passa-e of the bond referendum would increase opportunities for students. The district would be able to maintain smaller class sizes and program space availability with building additions. Safety, security and maintenance needs would be addressed. More of our high school students would be able to better access robust course options including college and career offerings, make connections with each other and staff members, and benefit from personalized and flexible learning experiences. 8. ISD 624 is a good steward of the community's investment ISD 624 routinely finds innovative solutions to live within its means. • The district has a AA bond rating, which we have received from S&P's every year the district has applied since 2010. • Our district received excellence in financial reporting awards from both the Assn. of School Business Officials and Government Finance Officers Assn. for 19 consecutive years. 9. Now is the time for investment. Due to smart fiscal management and old debt being paid off, this comprehensive district -wide plan can be accomplished with a $326 million bond referendum, which results in a tax impact of about $23 per month for the average homeowner. A tax calculator tool is available at the district's website, www.isd624.org/Bond2019. 10. The Facilities Committee discussed various HS options such as: • keep the status quo of a split high school, complete extensive renovations to both buildings • expand North Campus to become the district's "new" single 9.12 high school, move current Sunrise Park Middle School to South Campus location • build a brand new high school, leave remaining district buildings as -is HS S 11. The high school plan would work with existing district property. A "new" single, unified grade 9-12 high school could be built on the existing property already owned by the district. The district would consider purchasing neighboring homes from interested sellers if expansion made sense. The Board will not use eminent domain. The district's student enrollment numbers are strong, with continued residential growth projected throughout the district in the next decade. The district's new Strategic Plan is guiding the work of our district and schools, prioritizing student agency and access, engagement and support, and respect of diversity of people and ideas. n %F Y0110 Ii.sd624