From the Summer 2010 edition of
The TrailBlazer
With many in the school community enduring
tough financial times, one might ask: Should we cut back on building
improvements planned at our schools?
District officials seriously pondered this
question, especially since the state’s economic crisis is expected to
worsen next year. However, the answer was clear: The building
improvements would be needed to provide a sound foundation for future
savings — with NO IMPACT on the 2010-11 budget.
The Board of Education on May 20 voted to move
ahead with a $12.7 million capital project that will upgrade buildings
with better accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Construction on the project will begin in
tandem with another money-saving project: the
energy performance contract.
Capital project’s impact
Originally approved by voters in December of
2007, the capital project upgrades classroom spaces, expands the
gymnasium and library, and creates a new fully accessible cafeteria,
among other improvements to the educational environment
that also comply with accessibility laws.
“Upgrading accessibility for persons with
disabilities is the key purpose of the project.,” said
Former
Interim Superintendent Kimberly LaBelle. “In addition, the building aid
ratio is strong, and bidding for construction work is very competitive
in this economic climate. Taking advantage of
these factors makes good financial sense. Furthermore, if we fail to
make the required upgrades, we risk added costs in the form of penalties
or lawsuits down the road.”
The project cost will be borrowed over 15
years, and affect the tax levy by around 1 percent each year. However,
bond payments for the project will not be due
until 2011-12.
Energy performance contract
Late last spring, the board approved a $1.5
million energy performance contract with the Honeywell Corp. to upgrade
heating and cooling systems and improve insulation.
BKW does not have to pay anything up front for
this work. Instead, the district will pay off the contractor over time
using money saved on energy costs. In this case, money already budgeted
for operational expenses such as oil and gas would be saved and instead
used to pay for the improvements. Eventually (usually no more than 15
years) BKW will begin to reap the savings for the taxpayers from these
building upgrades.
The energy performance contract guarantees the
building improvements will deliver enough savings to pay for the
equipment installation and maintenance (at no additional cost to
taxpayers) — or Honeywell Corp. makes up the difference.
Performing the work for both the capital
project and energy performance contract in tandem will help the district
save more money by not having to go out to bid twice, as well as help
ensure a more efficient
building design.
“Although it’s true the economic landscape
has changed significantly since these two projects first started,
I feel it is in our best interest to continue these projects for the
good of our school and community,” LaBelle said.
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