Why now?
The District used a deliberated, data-driven, and community-focused process to identify its facilities' needs. Administrators, staff, citizens, and consultants came to a similar conclusion: the District presently has capital maintenance needs, such as slate roof repairs and ADA compliance, and should update aging or outdated learning environments.
The District understands that current financial conditions feel unstable today. However, compared with today, construction costs and interest rates could be significantly different 5- or 10- years from now. The District is continuing its facilities planning, knowing that its needs are not going away.
Why is the District proposing an addition and renovation to the high school trades and agriculture area?
Jefferson’s agriculture, trades, and technology courses are high-demand programs. JHS has not only been increasing student enrollment but also the number of course offerings. There is limited space in the existing high school for this growing group of programs. Space for large and small animals is limited; storage for student projects is a challenge and there is minimal space for a high-quality foods education program. Renovating and expanding the available space for agriculture, trades and technology will allow the district to expand program offerings to its students. These facilities will support the idea of college, career, and life readiness, ensuring that Jefferson best prepares all its future graduates.
Can the District pay for capital maintenance costs out of its day-to-day operating budget?
The District pays for capital maintenance projects from its day-to-day operating funds. In fact, over the last three years, the District has spent an average of over $800,000 annually on capital maintenance projects.
Even with that annual capital maintenance budget, the District faces significant, ongoing capital maintenance needs. Through an updated Facilities Assessment, the District identified $14.2 million in high priority capital maintenance repairs over the next one to three years. It is not possible to address these needs without a facilities referendum.
What does the scope of work at each building include?
The project scope for each building is summarized in the presentation above.
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