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RANDOLPH – A steering committee continued to discuss Randolph Public Schools’ facility needs and the possibility of a bond issue to pay for some of those needs at a meeting last week.
About 20 committee members surveyed roof repair needs at the high school, toured the Randolph Elementary including the boiler room, and reviewed the architectural drawings of a potential vocational ag building at the high school.
The need for a new vocational ag building has been an ongoing need.
Built in the late 1960s, the two existing Ag buildings were not built to house the current equipment being used. Having two separate buildings is not ideal for safety and it limits the number of students in those courses, according to previous board discussions.
Parts of the building have fallen into disrepair, including some gaps in the ceiling structure where daylight shines through. There also is no storm shelter at the building which is now legally required.
The board started levying monies into the special building fund in 2021 to potentially build a new Vocational Agriculture building that would also house the art program. The special building fund currently stands at $1.1 million.
Fakler Architects developed the original plans for the new building but the board tabled any action on continuing with the project in March 2022 due to rising construction costs.
A high-level new estimate for the 100-foot-by-130-foot vocational ag building is more than $5 million.
A prior steering committee meeting narrowed a 40-plus item master list down to these priority project areas at the high school: - New Vocational Ag/Art building - Structural damage around high chimney, repair/replace decking, insulation and roofing as needed. One section of roof is also leaking the high school building and needs replaced, mold/roof mitigation if necessary.
- Add fire sprinkles. - A/C and fans added to main gym.
- Replace existing lighting with LED.
And these priority items at the elementary school were identified: - Replace HVAC systems, add fire sprinklers, replace lighting with LED.
- Add restrooms to both floors and reconfigure sinks.
- Replace windows. - Reconfigure main entrance for security.
- Add kitchen to the courtyard area north of the gym.
- Add electrical outlets in classrooms.
Changes in the law this year, limits the amount boards can set aside in a special building fund which spurred additional discussion about a potential bond issue to tackle some of the higher priority items.
Most likely not all of the priorities identified will be put to a bond issue.
Other items may be funded through the special building fund or be tackled down the road as part of newly developed facility plans for maintenance and upgrades.
The board already approved asbestos abatement at Randolph Elementary which will be completed this summer with payment coming from the special building fund.
A bond issue requires a majority approval of registered voters in the district and could potentially be a special election this fall.
A typical bond is for 20 years or longer and could be refinanced over time, said Austin Partridge, a Northland Securities financial consultant.
Using the most recent district valuation data, a $1 million bond issue over 20 years would result in a levy impact of 1.2 cents, or $12 per year on property valued at $100,000, 49 cents per year for each irrigated acre or $80 per year on an irrigated quarter, he said.
Randolph Public Schools’ tax levy is the lowest among public schools in the area, in some instances less than half. Even with a sizable bond issue, Randolph Public Schools levy would remain well below area schools, Partridge said.
The next steering committee meeting is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, June 13. At that time, cost estimates will be provided for all priority items. Needs may be grouped together based on workflow, said Scott Kralik, business development consultant with BD Construction, Kearney.
A section of the school website labeled Facility Plans has been dedicated to sharing information with the public.
