Thank you to the many residents who attended, and special thanks for those who took to the podium to share their thoughts with the school board and administration.
Please note that cost estimates for ALL FIVE SEQUENCES are available and add up to roughly $218 MILLION. See the "Component Flow Chart and Sequences Diagram" at this LINK. It is a rather confusing document, about 34 pages total. It is IMPORTANT to note that even though the cost estimate for Sequence One totals $28 Million, including around $15 Million for academic and vocational/applied arts classrooms, that expense *could* be shifted to a later sequence (see page 4-5 in the link above). As Imagine has stated in the narrative under "General Information" in the link above, many of the components are designed to be fluid in their sequencing:
The Components were then grouped together into the five sequences based on priorities assigned by the Imagine Group, construction efficiency in the execution of similar construction scope, and logical construction sequencing. These Components can be executed as discreet projects or grouped together into larger construction projects, giving the Board of Education the flexibility to decide how much they wish to address at any one time with the knowledge of how that Component relates to all the other Components of the overall Master Plan.
The post dated Oct. 21 linked HERE has additional details from the meetings held earlier this fall, including information about funding alternatives. Understand that in addition to using funds held in reserve (currently about $75 million is available, leaving a cushion for future needs) there are ways the district can borrow money or increase the tax levy WITHOUT having to go to a referendum. At least not in the immediate term. Of course, the higher the cost of the project, and the more that is taken from reserves, means the sooner that a referendum for OPERATING costs will be needed.
Sign the ONLINE PETITION - www.tinyurl.com/oprfpetition - to assert your right to vote on funding for this major capital works project.
You'll find additional information and links to various documents and files associated with this proposal summarized at Imagine LTPF Basic Info.
