The plan is to go to referendum in November. Surprise, surprise, but the architect seems to insist that we have to go to referendum in November in order to open the school for the fall of 2010 school year.
It will be a 3-story (some rooms on 3rd floor) structure for 2000 students grades 10,11, and 12, located on highway "N" just south of Angell Park. Note that there will be no further CRT meetings to review the final project.
What happened to the June 18 CRT meeting that was scheduled during the May 21st CRT meeting? Members of the CRT that we have spoken with were not alerted of the HSPT's decision to "disband" the CRT.
The plan calls for a building of 407,798 square feet (SF)...or about 850 SF less than projected on July 16.
Price "range" is expected to be $73.2 to $78.5 M (down $200-250K from July 16).
Add on costs (which MAY be individual referendum questions) include:
- Fieldhouse additional $1.3 to $1.5M
- Fly loft (addition to performing arts center) - $0.6M ($600K)
- 8-lane swimming pool w/ exercise pool - $4.0 to $4.5M
That means the total cost for the school (including all options) is $79.1 to $85.1M
Now come the OTHER costs we have to contend with.
- Renovation of the existing high school for 1500 grade 8&9 "junior high": $22.0M
- Payment share due for Westside "greenway" project: $0.5M ($500K)
- Operating costs : ?????????????????????
Final tally of referendum dollars needed: at least $99.6 to $107.6M.
What does this mean for taxpayers?
It's too early to have exact figures, but if $14.6M recently borrowed for elementary school #7 translated to an effective mill rate of $0.19 per $1000 assessed value, then we can do some easy math. The projection would be $1.30 to $1.40, or $325 to $350 per year for an average $250,000 home.
At the April 30th CRT meeting, CRT members overwhelming voted that they would not support a mill rate increase over $1.00. Only 10% would support a mill rate over $1.00. 46% would support a solution with a mill rate of no more than $0.81 per $1,000. 36% said they could support a mill rate increase of $0.81 to $0.99.
The HSPT has not made any mention of discussing the mill rate with the CRT. The tone of Monday's meeting and the School Board's recent taxpayer-funded catered dinner with the City Council was all about getting to referendum in November.
It's time to speak up, residents, because the CRT is no longer. The next scheduled meeting is for August 20, 2007 at the School District Office.
FACTS: See how the rest of the nation and region compare with building:
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