Costs for school upgrades studied

Trisha Benton Randolph Times

RANDOLPH – The conditions were ripe for a steering committee discussion about HVAC and other improvements to school facilities June 25.

Fittingly, the 30-year-old motor in the high school’s cooling system failed, another one ordered but hadn’t yet arrived in time for the commons area to be sufficiently cooled.

“We’re running water through the loop system to keep the office area cool,” Superintendent Daryl Schrunk explained to the 20 people who shuffled into the board room which kept the room at about 75 degrees. Even with fans, the commons area - where steering committee meetings are generally held - didn’t drop from 85 degrees.

Unencumbered, the committee went to work for more than two hours, continuing to study facility improvements deemed as priorities, potential costs and consideration of a bond issue or other ways to finance them.

The need for a new vocational ag building has been an identified need since 2020.

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.

The building has fallen into disrepair with 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, and the special building fund currently stands at $1.1 million.

Fakler Architects developed the original plans for a new building that would house both the ag and art programs but the board tabled any action on continuing with the project in March 2022 due to rising construction costs. Updated construction costs are now estimated at $5.2 million for the proposed 13,000 square foot Vocational Ag and Art building.

The steering committee also previously narrowed a 40-plus item master list down to 15 priority areas at both the elementary and high school buildings.

Indicated priorities at the elementary school were estimated at $6.2 million. Those priority improvements include: replace the HVAC system, add fire sprinklers to the building; add three restrooms or update existing restrooms; replace windows; replace lighting; reconfigure entrance for security; add kitchen; and add electrical outlets to classrooms.

Indicated priorities at the high school were estimated at $1.3 million. Those priority improvements include: repair or replace decking, insulation and roofing as needed; investigate and mitigate mold due to roof leak; add fire sprinklers; add air condition and fans to main gym; and replace lighting.

After presenting the numbers, some of the committee were in a bit of sticker shock and a discussion ensued about scaling back some of the priority items to get a potential bond amount lower.

Committee members were surveyed about what the highest bond amount and tax impact they believed the community would support. The majority indicated they thought the community would support a bond amount at $9 million or more.

Changes in the law this year, limits the amount boards can set aside in a special building fund. The school board is considering putting a bond issue before voters in the November general election. Those improvement items not included in the bond, 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.

A typical bond is for 20 years or longer and could be refinanced.

Using the most recent district valuation data, a $9 million bond issue over 20 years at a rate of 4.4 percent would result in a levy impact of 11 cents.

That translates into $110 per year increase on property valued at $100,000; $4.57 per year increase for each irrigated acre or $731 increase per year on an irrigated quarter.

Randolph Public Schools’ tax levy is the lowest among public schools in the area. In some instances, area schools’ levies are more than double that of Randolph’s. Even with a sizable bond issue, Randolph Public Schools’ levy would remain well below area schools.

The next steering committee meeting is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 9. A town hall meeting to talk directly to patrons will also be scheduled within the next month.

If a bond issue were to be pursued, Sept. 3 is the last date to add it as a special issue to include on the general election ballot.

A section of the school’s website labeled Facility Plans has been dedicated to sharing documents and information with the public. There’s also a link for patrons to provide feedback.

At the last steering committee meeting, Schrunk also gave updates on current facility projects including asbestos abatement at Randolph Elementary, and painting and new flooring for the high school library and Family and Consumer Sciences room.

The home on North Pierce Street has been demolished to make way for additional parking across from the current ag building. The school district purchased the lot for $10,000 last month from Jerry’s Hilltop