Northwest R-1 School District voters will be asked in April to approve a $28 million bond issue to fund a variety of capital improvements, school officials said.
The issue, called Proposition Safety and Security, will require a 4/7 majority vote for approval.
While the bond issue would not require a tax increase, if it passes, the district’s bond debt would be extended by 15 years, according to school officials.
Board president Mary Thomasson said the projects at the top of the to-do list would improve school safety.
“Without increasing taxes on our community, this is a great way that we can improve our overall buildings,” she said. “I think it’s a prudent way to do it for our community, a no-tax-increase bond issue.”
Chief operating officer Mark Janiesch said revenue from the bond issue would fund lots of improvements.
“The top things on our list are updating fire alarm panels, phone systems upgrades, surveillance system upgrades, intercom replacements, and then secure entry renovations to all the sites that don’t have two secure entries to get in the front door,” he said.
The Northwest Board of Education voted 6-0 Dec. 15 to place the bond issue on the April 4 ballot. Board member Don Bickowski was absent from the meeting.
At the Nov. 10 work session, the board members had agreed to place a bond issue on the ballot but had not determined the amount, saying it would be for somewhere between $24 million and $30 million.
Janiesch said the district’s current bond debt is $27,580,000 and is set to be paid off in March 2038. If Proposition S passes, that debt would be extended to March 2043.
Proposed improvements
Northwest School District officials have been working on a five-year facilities plan that calls for building renovations to be completed before an expected drop in enrollment occurs which would lead to lower revenue.
In addition to the bond issue, the plan outlines districtwide improvements to be funded with the revenue.
The focus of the construction would be on Valley Middle School, where restrooms would be renovated, an addition to the Fine Arts classroom would be built, and security gates and canopies would be installed, school officials said.
However, every building would be “touched” as part of the proposed safety and security renovations, Northwest Superintendent Jennifer Hecktor said.
Among other improvements would be renovations to entryways at Woodridge Middle School and High Ridge, Cedar Springs and Brennan Woods elementary schools, and updating playground equipment at all the elementary schools.
High Ridge Elementary also would see plumbing renovations, while Murphy Elementary would see storm drainage improvements. Brennan Woods, Cedar Springs and Maple Grove elementary schools all would receive “site circulations,” meaning construction of new driving/walking lanes and parking lots.
Maple Grove also would see an Americans With Disabilities Act compliant lift built.
An exterior tricycle track would be constructed at the Early Childhood Center, and improvements would be made to the district bus barn.
House Springs Elementary would see construction of a gymnasium addition, and Northwest High School improvements would include exterior classroom wing enclosures; a multi-purpose athletics addition; and new furniture, fixtures and equipment for the multipurpose athletics addition.
According to design outlines provided by the Northwest School District, overall cost estimates for the projects range from $25,472,000 to $26,808,000. In addition, the district has allotted $1,670,000 for Paragon Architecture’s fee.