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The Swallow School Board of Education was presented with a lower-cost plan for facility improvements of $8.3 million, down approximately $1.68 million from the originally proposed $9.98 million plan, based on feedback from the Community Survey residents took in May. The proposed reductions would result in a $0 tax increase while maintaining the core elements of the project and most time-sensitive needs.
School Board President John Stahl said, “We can take care of vital improvements for teaching and learning and the most pressing maintenance needs while also being responsive to the community’s feedback by reducing the scope of the project to have no tax increase. The mill rate declined in the 2017 -2018 year, and we are pleased to know that it won’t be increasing because of this project.”
The Board of Education agreed that repairing the oldest portions of the building would be counterproductive, given the amount of continued improvements this dilapidated educational space would still need. While the proposed plan was reduced, it still creates the educational spaces that the staff, students, and community need to continue modern-day learning and building on the success past students have been achieving for generations.
The School Board was pleased with the recent survey results:
- 484 surveys were returned
- 70% of those surveyed believe the Swallow School District has a positive impact on their home values
- 44% of the surveys were completed by Swallow School District parents
- 56% of the surveys were completed by those who do not have children attending the school
At the July 24 School Board meeting the Board will consider potential resolutions to put a referendum on the ballot for November. More information on the Long-Range Master Facilities Plan and School Board meeting agendas can be found at http://www.swallowschool.org/board_of_education.