Bond issue to appear on the ballot
Officials spent nearly two years gathering input on aging school buildings
Members of the Highland Board of Education unanimously approved the resolution to proceed at the July 17 board of education meeting which officially places the bond issue on the fall ballot. File photo
GRANGER – School officials took the final step to place a $63 million bond issue on the Nov. 7 ballot, which, if approved, would fund building three new elementary schools as well as making improvements at Highland Middle School.
Members of the Highland Board of Education unanimously approved the resolution to proceed at the July 17 board of education meeting, which officially places the bond issue on the fall ballot.
“I remain enthusiastic on the amount of planning and preparation given to putting the bond issue on the fall ballot,” said Board President Dr. Norman Christopher.
School officials spent nearly two years gathering public input on how to approach the district’s aging elementary school buildings. Granger Elementary School is 88 years old, Hinckley Elementary School is 68 years old, Sharon Elementary School is 95 years old and Highland Middle School is 58 years old.
School officials said they hear about deficiencies with the current elementary buildings nearly every day.
Input from residents was gathered via public input meetings, an online survey and a telephone survey. School district residents indicated preference for three new elementary schools versus building one new large elementary school and showed some support for the option of two new buildings. Residents expressed their desire for three new elementary schools in order to maintain a community atmosphere as well as keeping transportation time down.
If approved, the $63 million bond issue, estimated at 3.9 mills, would cost about $11 per month per $100,000 assessed home valuation. The bond issue is separate from the district’s 5.1-mill renewal levy, which generates about $4.1 million each year and will expire in 2018. Board members will not place the renewal levy on the ballot with the bond issue this fall but indicated it would address the renewal levy shortly after the November election.
Superintendent Catherine Auckerman said school officials will be studying on how to approach replacing the three new buildings if the bond issue is approved. Auckerman said options would include building new buildings on the same site as the current buildings if at all possible. Renovations at the middle school would include the HVAC, electrical upgrades, safety and security mechanisms and additional learning space.
School officials indicated they feel there is stronger support for a bond issue now than two years ago when the subject was first raised.
A complete list of questions and answers regarding the Bond Issue can be found at http://www.highlandschools.org/ by clicking the “about our facilities” link.
Members of the Highland Board of Education unanimously approved the resolution to proceed at the July 17 board of education meeting, which officially places the bond issue on the fall ballot.
“I remain enthusiastic on the amount of planning and preparation given to putting the bond issue on the fall ballot,” said Board President Dr. Norman Christopher.
School officials spent nearly two years gathering public input on how to approach the district’s aging elementary school buildings. Granger Elementary School is 88 years old, Hinckley Elementary School is 68 years old, Sharon Elementary School is 95 years old and Highland Middle School is 58 years old.
School officials said they hear about deficiencies with the current elementary buildings nearly every day.
Input from residents was gathered via public input meetings, an online survey and a telephone survey. School district residents indicated preference for three new elementary schools versus building one new large elementary school and showed some support for the option of two new buildings. Residents expressed their desire for three new elementary schools in order to maintain a community atmosphere as well as keeping transportation time down.
If approved, the $63 million bond issue, estimated at 3.9 mills, would cost about $11 per month per $100,000 assessed home valuation. The bond issue is separate from the district’s 5.1-mill renewal levy, which generates about $4.1 million each year and will expire in 2018. Board members will not place the renewal levy on the ballot with the bond issue this fall but indicated it would address the renewal levy shortly after the November election.
Superintendent Catherine Auckerman said school officials will be studying on how to approach replacing the three new buildings if the bond issue is approved. Auckerman said options would include building new buildings on the same site as the current buildings if at all possible. Renovations at the middle school would include the HVAC, electrical upgrades, safety and security mechanisms and additional learning space.
School officials indicated they feel there is stronger support for a bond issue now than two years ago when the subject was first raised.
A complete list of questions and answers regarding the Bond Issue can be found at http://www.highlandschools.org/ by clicking the “about our facilities” link.