Durand School Board to consider resolutions for buildings at special meeting

The Durand Board of Education has called a special meeting at 6 p.m. on January 26 to adopt a resolution to be put on the April ballot.
At a regular meeting January 14, the Board discussed options for needed building maintenance. Three options were brought forward by the administration.
Durand Superintendent Greg Doverspike said the District has multiple options.
"We discussed three at the Board meeting, which are all interchangeable," he said. "Our options are different levels of work we'd like to complete at the high school and Caddie Woodlawn."
One option proposes $5.3 million for work at Caddie Woodlawn, which would result in increased class sizes and the elimination of the SAGE program.
Another option for Caddie Woodlawn would be a $7.7 million renovation, including a 20,000 square foot addition for a new commons area, cafeteria, gymnasium, classrooms, and maintenance and facility needs, as well as addressing parking lot issues and interior work such as lights and paint. The kitchen and IMC room would also be relocated. The more costly option would allow for the SAGE program to remain in the elementary.
Options for the high school include a $5.1 million renovation of the science labs, tech ed classrooms, freshman hall, weight room, a locker room addition, and some one to three and four to six year needs.
A $5.8 million option for the high school would include the same items, as well as the relocation of the offices to create a commons area in the high school entry.
Another option with a combination of costs at Caddie Woodlawn and the high school included money for the football field and track in combination with building projects, while scaling back work at the high school.
"The Board seems to be leaning toward spending $7.7 million at Caddie Woodlawn, but we're unsure of the high school option," Doverspike said. "We're also exploring Act 32 funding."
Act 32 is a program in the State of Wisconsin that has been around for a number of years, and has expanded in the last three to five years, said Doverspike. The fund can be used for maintenance projects that show energy and operational savings equal to the amount of the project.
"They use a 20-year lifespan as an example," Doverspike said. "Over the course of 20 years, the energy and operational savings should, in essence, pay back the cost of the project."
Doverspike said some of the maintenance issues in the buildings would qualify for the funding.
"The concept is to get the money back in the long run," he said. "The savings will pay for the project eventually."
The Board agreed it would be beneficial to remain SAGE compliant.
"With the 17 to one ratio in the classrooms, students receive more individual attention," Doverspike said. "Increased building space also allows us better flexibility down the line."
The Board will decide on which options they feel are best, and adopt a resolution January 26 that will be put to referendum on the April ballot. The maximum total cost will be $13.5 million, with the District contributing $200,000 to $300,000 per year.
"Our contribution is based short-term on what happens with the upcoming State budget," Doverspike said.
With the $300,000 contribution from the District, the mill rate impact would be $69 per year on a $100,000 home, or $79 per year with a $200,000 contribution.
"This is based on a conservative interest rate," Doverspike said. "Right now the interest rates are at an all-time low, so odds are, if this passes, the mill rate will go down. The time is right to do a project."
At this time, the District has not made a decision regarding Arkansaw Elementary School, said Doverspike.
"I think that decision will be coming in the next month or so," he said.