The Culver Community School Board members opened a public hearing Monday night to take comments on proposed building projects and the financing of those projects which will result in a slight impact on property taxes, if eventually approved.
Superintendent Karen Shuman stated that the school board members have been working with SitelogIQ to narrow down possible priority building projects at the corporation. Nelson Brikho from SitelogIQ presented a list to the board after previous discussions held on the matter. He explained that if the board moves forward with the projects, design would begin in 2022 with bids to be let in November or December in 2022 and with improvements to begin in Spring of 2023. All of the improvements would be done in 2023.
Brikho said the scope of work was based on facility assessment.
“The goal was to look at the different existing conditions of your facilities – things like building infrastructure, looking at educational and programming needs to help deliver the curriculum that the school corporation is trying to deliver, and looking at site and safety issues or concerns as it relates to pick-up and drop-off areas,” said Brikho.
Some of the work at the Middle School/High School outlined in a summary includes the replacement of the 1968 electrical service panels and sub panels and include more outlets in classrooms, some exterior work to seal the building, renovation of restroom finishes and fixtures, installation of a new gym floor, and replacement of water piping. An ADA lift would be added to the stage, and the locker rooms would be remodeled for ADA requirements. The band and choir rooms would be renovated to eliminate fixed risers, the FACS rooms would be renovated to accommodate a Culinary Studio, new pick-up and drop-off areas would be designed, and asphalt would be replaced.
At the Elementary School, water piping would be replaced, the gym floor would be replaced, the boilers would be replaced along with hot water heaters, and an ADA lift would be added to the stage. The Media Center would be renovated into a collaboration learning lab, and officials would design a new front and back pick-up and drop-off area.
The total project cost is estimated at a little more than $10.9 million which includes hard and soft construction costs.
Baker Tilly Advisor Brock Browsher said the maximum of two series of bonds of $12,050,000 would be obtained for the project with a 22-year lease repayment to begin in 2024. An adjustment to the capitalized interest will result in a one cent increase to the tax rate, assuming there is no increase in assessed valuation.
If the average homeowner owns a home with a $32,750 net assessed value, or a $100,000 market value home, the maximum tax impact would be $3.28 annually. The maximum tax impact for commercial and rental property would be $9.96 annually, and it would be $12.96 annually for the owner of 100 acres of agricultural land.
One resident asked about the kind of market the bonds would be sold, but no other public comment was offered.
The board members will hold a second public hearing during their next regularly scheduled meeting Monday, November 15 at 7 p.m. ET in the Administration Building at 700 School Street in Culver.
