West Clark Community Schools board to seek $95 million referendum this fall

The immediate repairs include HVAC overhauls at every school, security upgrades at some schools, gym floor repairs and making restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Every project came from the steering committee's guidance," explained board member Crystal Gunther before making the motion. The board backed Gunther, voting unanimously in favor.

The plan is to pay off the bond, which could be as high as $7.6 million, before the $95 million bond would kick in, according to Supt. Chad Schenck.

The board will vote on each project by location during a special work session June 15. The possibility of a referendum, which did not go over as smoothly with all board members, will also be discussed in greater detail during that meeting.

Board secretary Douglas Coffman described Silver Creek High School as the "elephant in the room" before making a motion to seek a $95 million referendum.

To Schenck, the major renovations the $95 million would afford would mean a huge increase in quality of education for the students.

"Our instructional needs are driving the construction needs," the superintendent explained.

Within the district the number of restrooms per students is too low, many classrooms are far below the recommended size, and two to three students share a single locker, Schenck explained.

At Silver Creek High, a school that was designed for 550 students and had 932 enrolled in the last school year, nine teachers do not have a classroom and have to teach using a rolling cart, moving from classroom to classroom as other teachers have their plan period.

"We’ve been talking about this for nearly two and a half years and have had multiple studies done and countless data points," Schenck said.

What exactly the district anticipates to do with referendum dollars would be worked out before the June 15 meeting. Schenck anticipates the majority of the money would go toward major renovation of all four school buildings at the Silver Creek campus or new construction. At other buildings, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems need overhaul and roofs need repair.

When it came time to vote, the board stood divided. Gunther, Coffey and Joe Basham, board president, voted in favor of pursuing the referendum. Brian Hurst, vice president, and Brian Guernsey voted against.

After the motion passed, Gunther made a motion to retain the services of the Winston/Terrell Group to aid the district in gaining votes, a service that comes with a $25,000 price tag.

Gunther, Coffey and Basham again voted in favor and Hurst and Guernsey voted against.

The two explained they did want to use taxpayer money to convince taxpayers to give more money.

"I voted no because ... not only do we do what is best for kids, but we also have to what is best for taxpayers and we walk a fine line. I voted in favor of the $62.9 (million referendum). I considered it doable. But I stated all along that I would not support anything more than that," Hurst said.

Guernsey pointed out that between the $25,000 for The Winston/Terrell Group and the roughly $24,000 it will cost to get the referendum on a special ballot this fall, the district will be out nearly $50,000.

However, according to Associate Supt. Mac Dyer, those two items would be paid out of the general fund, which is technically paid into by the state via income taxes, not local property taxes.

Current numbers on the referendum show what would equate to a total 78 cents debt service rate, 30 cents higher than the current 48 cents.

In essence, that 30-cent spike means a homeowner with a property valued at $100,000 will pay $300 more each year in property taxes. A business valued at $1 million would pay $3,000.

Numbers are preliminary and Schenck is adamant that they are "subject to change" before the special meeting.

However, he argues that he hopes voters will see the value in seeing themselves as a citizen first and taxpayer second.

"Citizens realize their taxes support the greater good. They support the overall health, well-being and education of generations to come," Schenck said following the meeting.

"There's a lot of research that shows if you want to have the value of your home, farm or business grow and flourish … that does not come without a price tag. I would hope that everyone sees the value of being a citizen in West Clark and yes, it is going to increase their tax burden, but we are going to do this in the most conservative way possible," he said.

The June 15 meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at 5 p.m. at the district administration building.

Those who go can expect details such as breakdown of work the district would complete with the money and what it would mean for taxpayers. Public participation is also welcome.

A preliminary determination hearing, commonly referred to as a 1028 hearing, will be conducted at 7 p.m. June 20 in the Silver Creek High Auditorium. The board will vote directly following the hearing whether to continue to pursue the referendum.