The School Town of Highland is expected to decide on an estimated $3.8 million bond issue following a hearing at its board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the administration center, 9145 Kennedy Ave.
The board will review whether to pursue a general obligation bonds or a lease rental bond.
“A lot of it is just renovations,” said Superintendent Brian Smith. “About $1.8 million is for technology for the one-to one initiative. This will pay for the iPad devices for the students. We are looking at somewhere around 3,000 devices. We don’t want to put (the cost of the iPad) into the text book rental. That would add $200 to the textbook rental.”
Smith said adding $200 to the cost of textbook rental would be burdensome to families in the district. Nearly 40 percent of the student population is eligible for free and reduced cost lunch, according to Smith.
The remaining $2 million will cover maintenance items including new gym floors in the high school and middle school, a new acrylic surface for the outdoor running track, LED lights in the fieldhouse and renovations to the press box and concessions stand.
In January, the town agreed to donate $100,000 per year for 20 years to help the school district offset payments to be made on the $26 million bond issue approved in October. The town’s money comes from its share of the County Economic Development Tax.
Smith said town’s donation will help keep the school district tax rates down, because “We won’t have to collect the extra $100,000 from the taxpayers.”
The previously approved $26 million bond covers $9.9 million for high school and middle school improvements combined as one project under a single bond for a variety of renovations including new asphalt, new windows, entrance doors and door frames, temperature controls, ventilator and wireless access points for students and teachers for one-to-one computing.
The rest of the bond covers the Southridge Elementary School project is estimated at $5.2 million and Johnston at $4.1 million, Merkley at $3.5 million and Warren at $3.2 million. Southridge and Johnston will get complete electrical rewiring. All elementary schools will get wireless access points, flooring, plumbing, paint, fire alarm systems, unit ventilators and new temperature controls.
Nancy Coltun Webster is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
