Dr. Jorgensen’s Highland Highlights - August
July 18, 2019
The Highland Community School District will be holding a Bond Issue Vote on Tuesday, September 10, 2019. The district is asking for a $3.7 million-dollar bond issue that will be paid back over an 8-year period of time. The bond would have to receive 60% +1 yes in order to be approved. The following are specific numbers and facts related to this bond issue.
The polling hours will be from 7 am to 8 pm. There will be two polling locations:
*1. The Ainsworth location will be the former elementary building, 835 Park Street. This is different than in the past when the fire station was used as a polling location. This location includes the City of Ainsworth, the Crawford, Highland, Jackson, and Oregon townships in Washington County.
*2. The Riverside precinct is at the Riverside City Hall, 60 Green Street. This location includes the City of Riverside, the English River & Iowa Townships in Washington County and the Liberty Township in Johnson County.
The $3.7 million request is divided among the following projects:
*Replacement of the HVAC system at the Secondary Building is $2,175,000 of the request. This includes rooftop and classroom units to replace the various systems currently in place. Design Engineers informed the board that they believe this system will pay for itself in 8 years in energy efficiency. This also includes cooling in the common areas and gym, which currently does not exist. The system for the entire building will have computerized controls with each classroom having the ability to adjust + or - 3 degrees. The district will continue to use the current boilers, which have been replaced in the last three years
*Replacement of High School Windows to Energy Efficient windows, $42,745, about 1.2% of the project. These windows are the original windows when the building was built. The middle school windows are already Energy Efficient glass and do not need to be updated.
*Playground Surface & Equipment at Elementary. This includes Rubberized, American’s With Disability Act (ADA) compliance. Current playground surface is not ADA compliant. Some of the equipment will also be updated and replaced. $375,687 of the project, 10.1% of the total project.
*Fine Arts Storage addition and renovations at the High School. This includes a small addition attached to and accessed from the Fine Arts Classroom. Renovations of storage area behind locker room to be specific to storage of risers for the Fine Arts Department and easier access to the gym. The current space being used for Fine Arts Storage (next to the kitchen) will be opened up and available to move the kitchen freezer inside and close to the kitchen in the near future. $177, 652, 4.8% of the total project.
*Design/Construction Contingency, only if needed for unexpected changes or unforeseen difficulties that result in changes, $282,296, 9.1% of the total project.
*Cost Escalation Security in case of Tariffs, prices of steel and other building materials could be subject to increased prices due to tariffs. Only used if needed. $134,977, 3.6% of project.
*Design Fees, $364,205, 9.7% of the project.
*Construction Process Fees + Inspections, $108,494, 2.8% of the project
Piper-Jaffray has projected valuations, current tax asking, tax relief from paying off previous bond early and current district balances. They calculate an increase in valuations in the district and projected enrollment that the district will be able to maintain the current tax levy for the next 8 years while paying off this bond. $3.7 million is a relatively small bond issue. Property taxes should remain level and not increase.
We encourage all residents to exercise their right to vote on September 10th.
