DCSD proposed bond

unedited oct. mt. news article:

Douglas County toying with improving school sites

By Kathryn Reed

Single pane windows at Lake schools could go by wayside if a proposed bond is approved by voters in Douglas County School District.
In September, the board gave the go-ahead for the district to form a committee of community members to look into the needs of school sites to determine what improvements should be made and then whether a bond is the way to pay for them.
District staff has composed a wish list that the committee is using as a starting point. The couple dozen people on the panel represent retired people, businesses, service groups, parents, government and religious organizations.
Each school will go before the committee to enlighten the group about specific needs.
“Obviously people involved with their site have more intimate knowledge,” explained Holly Luna, director of business services for the district. “They may know something that has never been brought to my attention or to maintenance.”
Even though Kingsbury Middle School is closing at the end of the school year, the district is still responsible for maintaining it. It needs a new roof.
Asphalt replacement at all Lake schools is part of the mix. At Whittell the asphalt has been patched throughout the years, but maintenance crews would like to replace the entire 111,000-square-foot area. Zephyr Cove needs 59,000-square-feet of asphalt work.
The boilers at both schools need replacing, as do the windows. At least double pane would go in.
Whittell was built in 1959, Zephyr Cove in 1962 and Kingsbury in 1975.
“We have older buildings. We have many, many challenges with the upkeep of these buildings,” Superintendent Carol Lark said of the whole district. “Many of the air conditioning and heating units are well beyond their day. We want children to have proper lighting and heating. We want kitchens up to code.”
What the dollar amount on the bond might be will be determined by what the committee deems as necessary projects and then having JNA Consulting Group figure out the financing.
The last bond voters approved was in 1992. Most of that went to expansion in the valley. It will be paid off in the next couple of years.
The committee will meet for the next few months, with a recommendation to the board expected in February. Town hall meetings would be conducted if the process goes forward. The board would create bond language before April because state law requires the proposal go to a Debt Management Commission that month. The school board would finalize bond language in May. The bond question must be sent to the Election Department by mid-July. The question would be before voters in November 2008.