The Harwood School Board held an informational meeting, Tuesday, November 3, to explain the proposed $1.1 million bond to voters. School board members voted unanimously in favor of the bond at their October 7 meeting.
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ESSENTIAL REPAIRS
Harwood Union Principal Duane Pierson gave a brief presentation to residents about the need for essential repairs. According to Pierson, "Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, zero percent or very low interest Qualified School Construction bonds are available for certain school projects, like Harwood's."
At the October 7 meeting, Pierson outlined the facility upgrade projects in order of priority. First on the list is the replacement of the water main, estimated to cost $50,000; the school's roof ranks second on the list, estimated to cost $126,000.
The school's dishwasher needs replacement ($31,930), the air handler needs upgrade and repair ($67,235), and the range hood, currently broken, needs to be replaced ($20,000). In addition to building repairs the bond includes $500,000 for repaving the parking lot.
ATHLETIC FIELDS
Harwood's athletic fields were built in 1967 when the school had four sports teams and 85 student athletes. Harwood now has 11 teams with 240 students competing for use of one soccer/lacrosse field.
In 2000, taxpayers paid $71,000 for an adjacent property intended for the addition of athletic fields. The plan is to build one additional field and repair the existing field.
According to Pierson, with a zero percent bond, taxpayers will save over $270,000 compared to a 2.9 percent loan for the same amount.
"This fiscal year alone (since July 1) we have spent $15,000 on repairs. The ongoing costs of maintaining deteriorating facilities is excessive and difficult to predict," Pierson continued.
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ENERGY SAVINGS
School board member Freddie Graves emphasized the immense energy savings anticipated as a result of kitchen appliance upgrades as well as improved air quality in the school.
Harwood athletic director Sue Duprat said the poor condition of the school's athletic fields and lack of adequate water drainage has resulted in several game cancellations.
School board chair Scott Mackey said that it is the "middle school sports teams who really suffer" as a result of overcrowding on the athletic fields.
COST EFFECTIVE
Mackey said that the zero percent bond over 15 years is the most cost-effective way for taxpayers because the repairs and paving will have to be completed regardless.
"This decision was made with the taxpayer in mind," Mackey said.
Board members estimated $500,000 for the complete repaving and rebuilding of the parking lot and decided to include the additional repairs, including the athletic field, in a single bond vote, totally $1.1 million
The $1.1 million bond vote is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10.
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