The Culver Community School Board members opened the first of two public hearings Monday, March 4 to explain the use of the balance of bond proceeds previously issued to make several repairs and renovations to buildings on the grounds of the school corporation.
Superintendent Karen Shuman explained that there is about a $1.5 million available in bond proceeds from the recent bond project.
There has been a proposal to build a new Culver Youth Club (CYC) building on the school’s campus. The Culver Community School Corporation would put forth $500,000 of those bond proceeds as a match toward that proposed project to go in concert with grants, if awarded, and community donations.
A long-term lease would be negotiated for use and operation of the building, if the project is approved.
Shuman commented that the need is to simply create more space.
With the potential of a heightened K-12 student enrollment with the upcoming Dunes housing project, Shuman said there is a concern that there would be an increase in the need of regular classroom spaces. The CYC currently occupies classrooms in the Elementary School. That space may be needed when planning for this potential growth. Shuman noted competition with use of the Elementary School gymnasium between the CYC activities and student practices.
Beyond that, there is a need to expand classroom space at the Culver Middle/High School to accommodate an Applied Skills classroom. The preferred space for that curriculum would be in the current location of the available daycare.
Shuman stated that a new building could be built to house classroom space and a gymnasium for the CYC along with a daycare for corporation use.
With the remaining bond money available, several other renovation projects are being proposed. The Middle School Science rooms would be renovated, along with restrooms at the Elementary School and the High School Cafeteria, plus other improvements to make Special Education space available, plumbing, fixtures, water lines, and other needs.
There will no change with taxes.
The deadline to allocate the money is February 2025.
Board member J.D. Uebler asked if there are other opportunities that could benefit the corporation with the new building and the design of the building. There were also questions from community members about recess space for Elementary students with the project planned by the playground, the need based on CYC enrollment which averages about 75-80 in daily participation, the cost of utilities to the corporation, and management of the building.
Uebler commented that more public comment will be received, and time will be given when figuring out the logistics and impact of this type of building, if it is approved.
The second public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 18.
