Dr. Feltre Responds to Questions on Referendum

Background to Questions

Question 1

In the updated version of Question 1, the projects have been generalized and are ambiguous leaving voters to ponder what, specifically, will be completed if there is support for Question 1. Although “parking lot” refurbishments was removed, the language is still indicative that paving could be part of the projects.

Question 1 still fails to address the most pressing issues to our schools; necessary roofing and HVAC repairs and replacements.

Question 1 does not reflect any information obtained from the stakeholder referendum survey. In fact, the 3 ‘lowest priority’ projects are addressed in Question 1.

Total cost of project is $21,227,001.

ORIGINAL	AMENDED
Site Parking and Drainage Upgrades (all schools) —Parking lot/drive re-pavement/stripping —walkway and site stair repairs/replacement Roofing System Replacement (Woodruff) —partial roofing system replacemet, including drains, coping and flashing Security Technology Upgrades —security camera systems upgrades/expansion (all schools) —clock & speaker PA system upgrades/expansion (GLHS, CMS, TPH) Media Center Renovations & Upgrades (all schools) TV Studio Renovations (GLHS)	Undertake various security, technology, site and building interior improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (MKM, MP, TPH, CMS, GLHS) Undertake various security, technology, site, roofing and building interior improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (WW)

ORIGINAL

AMENDED

Site Parking and Drainage Upgrades (all schools)
—Parking lot/drive re-pavement/stripping
—walkway and site stair repairs/replacement

Roofing System Replacement (Woodruff)
—partial roofing system replacemet, including drains, coping and flashing

Security Technology Upgrades
—security camera systems upgrades/expansion (all schools)
—clock & speaker PA system upgrades/expansion (GLHS, CMS, TPH)

Media Center Renovations & Upgrades (all schools)

TV Studio Renovations (GLHS)

Undertake various security, technology, site and building interior improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (MKM, MP, TPH, CMS, GLHS)

Undertake various security, technology, site, roofing and building interior improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (WW)

Question 2

The approval of projects contained within Question 2 are still contingent on Question 1 passing. Question 2 still contains infrastructure projects that will ensure continuity in our students attending and learning in our schools.

Question 2 has also been amended to reflect general ‘scenarios’ without any specifics on scope of work.

Total cost is $28,915, 969

ORIGINAL	AMENDED
Roofing System Replacement (GLHS, CMS, MP) —roofing system replacement including drains, coping & flashing Electrical System Upgrades (GLHS) —provide additional 200kWh backup generator —provide surge protection on existing service Mechanical Systems & Piping Upgrades (CMS, MP, WW, MKM) —replace HVAC/unit ventilator units —install direct digital controls – building management system —circulation piping replacement Science Labs (GLHS, CMS) Technology Robotics STEM (GLHS, CMS)	Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (MKM, WW) —replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including replacement of select equipment and a portion of roofing (MP) —replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including electrical upgrades, replacement of a portion of roofing and renovations to various classrooms (CMS) —replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including electrical upgrades, replacement of a portion of roofing and renovations to various classrooms (GLHS)

ORIGINAL

AMENDED

Roofing System Replacement (GLHS, CMS, MP)
—roofing system replacement including drains, coping & flashing

Electrical System Upgrades (GLHS)
—provide additional 200kWh backup generator
—provide surge protection on existing service

Mechanical Systems & Piping Upgrades (CMS, MP, WW, MKM)
—replace HVAC/unit ventilator units
—install direct digital controls – building management system
—circulation piping replacement

Science Labs (GLHS, CMS)

Technology Robotics STEM (GLHS, CMS)

Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades (MKM, WW)
—replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems

Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including replacement of select equipment and a portion of roofing (MP)
—replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems

Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including electrical upgrades, replacement of a portion of roofing and renovations to various classrooms (CMS)
—replacement of select HVAC equipment and systems

Undertake improvements, alterations, renovations and upgrades, including electrical upgrades, replacement of a portion of roofing and renovations to various classrooms (GLHS)

In an email to the BOE and Administration, I posed several questions with the focus on why the most significant projects (roofing, HVAC) aren’t being addressed in question 1 and, IF the referendum fails, what it the contingency plan.

Dr. Feltre reiterated that the goal is that both questions pass to ensure the entire scope of work is completed to bring all the District buildings up to date. It was also reported that there is currently $1.9 in capital reserves and the most pressing infrastructure matters (HVAC and roofing) will cost over $4 million. The questions and answers are below.

1. Considering the community survey results identified “quality of teaching staff” as the highest priority for our community, how are teaching staff members being used to drive the projects with the referendum?

Quality of teaching staff is not directly attached to the referendum projects as the referendum addresses capital projects and educational projects related to construction. Addressing the quality of teaching staff will come into play when we allocate federal funds such as Title II funds for professional development and potentially during the BHEA negotiations and discussion of the salary guides.

2. Over the last 12 months (to name a few); —there was a pipe burst at GLHS causing interruptions to students and staff; —fire panel at CMS was compromised and students were unable to attend school; —no heat at GLHS causing an interruption to instruction; —no heat in a portion of CMS whereupon students were requested to bring blankets and jackets; —roof leak at MPS causing interruption to instruction. It is very clear that the majority of items contained in “Question 2” are quite significant and will (and have) impacted instruction and continuity in learning. Why aren’t items from Question 2 the priority for the Referendum if one of the goals is to “improve the student experience – classroom?”

Based on the community survey, the architects were tasked with not only prioritizing the projects accordingly, but also organizing them into two questions such that question 1 was tax neutral and equivalent to the debt rolling off. The reality is we need both questions to pass to sufficiently address both the capital projects and educational projects to improve the student learning experience – classroom. All the projects are priority but the cost of the combination of some of the projects couldn’t be combined and create a tax neutral question 1.

3. What is the contingency plan if the Referendum fails? Does the District possess appropriate funds in the Capital Reserve to address the most relevant infrastructure concerns?

If the referendum fails, the district will have to attempt to address the most relevant infrastructure concerns without the added benefit of the almost 34% state aid. As we currently have $1.8 million in capital reserves and HVAC at GL, CMS and roof at MP you mentioned will cost approximately $4.1 million dollars, we do not have enough funds in Capital Reserves to immediately address those infrastructure concerns. Thank you for the questions and your support of the schools! Kim

We appreciate Dr. Feltre’s response to our questions.

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