Fox Superintendent Nisha Patel is expected on March 3 to present the Board of Education with a revised plan for how the district would use funds from a proposed $40 million bond issue voters will be asked to approve April 7.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the Fox C-6 Service Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
“This could be reallocating some of the funds,” Patel said on Feb. 19.
School officials have said revenue from the measure, which is called Proposition P and stands for “Promise, Purpose and Progress for our students,” would be used to build a new instructional wing at Fox High School, build additions at Meramec Heights and Antonia elementary schools, improve safety and security at all school buildings, improve pavement at all school buildings, upgrade playgrounds at all the elementary schools and complete other capital improvement projects throughout the district.
“In order for our buildings to have anything done, Prop P has to pass,” board president Carole Yount said. “It is the only opportunity we have right now to make things better in our buildings for our kids.”
The bond issue would not require a tax increase. However, the debt service levy, which is 39 cents per $100 assessed valuation, would be extended for an additional 20 years. The district’s overall tax levy is about $4.57 per $100 assessed valuation.
The proposition requires a four-sevenths (57.14 percent) vote for approval.
The district presented a list of top priorities the bond issue revenue would fund during a Dec. 17 meeting, including about $16.5 million to replace Antonia Elementary school.
However, on Jan. 21, when the board voted to place the bond issue on the ballot, a new proposal was presented that called for improvements to Antonia Elementary rather than replacing it.
Since then, district residents have complained about the changes to the plan, calling for the school to be replaced. As a result, the board asked Patel to revise the plan and bring it to the board for discussion March 3.
“I feel strongly that a seven-member board should not be deciding how $40 million is spent,” board vice president Steve Holloway said. “I believe there are experts in our district and community that have the knowledge and experience to make a more informed decision and that we should allow those individuals to put together a combined proposal and bring it to the board for a vote. By taking this approach, the entire community can believe that the process was transparent and honorable and kept the needs of the students first.”
The board heard from three community members Feb. 4 and five community members Feb. 18, complaining that issues at Antonia Elementary could not be fully addressed with an estimated $7 million renovation project.
“The Antonia Elementary school building has been neglected for many years,” said Jill Holloway, a second-grade teacher at Antonia Elementary. “Bond issues have come and gone, and we have seen very few improvements. At the most recent board meeting (Feb. 4), the term selfish was used to describe those who were advocating for a new building at Antonia Elementary. I believe the better term to describe Antonia students, parents, staff and community would be selfless.”
Antonia Elementary studies
Fox commissioned two studies on Antonia Elementary, one by Building Resource Studio and the other by KRJ Architecture.
The reports were submitted to the district on Jan. 17, and on Feb. 18, the board approved paying Building Resources $2,450 for its work, board documents show.
Chief financial officer John Brazeal said the board will be asked to approve an estimated $3,800 to KRJ for its work at a future board meeting.
The two firms concluded the building was structurally sound. However, both studies pointed out numerous problems and offered two scenarios to try to resolve them.
Building Resources proposed a $6,058,943 renovation project that could serve the building for 10 to 15 years and a $9,884,693 project that could serve the building for 40 years, board documents said.
KRJ’s proposals included an $11,898,000 renovation project and an $18,075,000 estimated cost to build a new school, according to board documents.
“Based on their recommendations, the board felt we have enough information from professionals in the field and knowing our current financial reality and all of the needs in the district, (the proposed $7 million renovation project) is what we can do for Antonia Elementary (if Prop P is approved),” Patel said.