WCMessenger.com: Districtwide upgrades on ballot

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Districtwide upgrades on ballot

By Brian Knox | Published Sunday, October 18, 2009

Voters in the Decatur school district are faced with a choice of favoring or rejecting an $8 million bond package, and they have their first chance to make their decision count Monday with the start of early voting.

The district has proposed a bond package that would address maintenance, safety and energy efficiency needs districtwide.

Middle school

At the middle school, the school's original boiler, installed when the facility was built in 1972, would be replaced with a more energy-efficient model that would use half the amount of gas. The HVAC system, most of which is also original to the building, would also be replaced. Other potential upgrades include restroom improvements, door replacements, new door lock system, replacement of bleachers in the gym, painting, repaving the driveway and landscaping in front of the building.

Intermediate school

The HVAC units at the intermediate school, installed in 1982, would be replaced. The campus' energy management system would also be upgraded. Other improvements would include classroom painting, relandscaping, repaving the driveway and improvements to the front of the building including repainting the exterior and replacing lights.

Rann and Carson Elementaries

Rann Elementary would receive exterior painting under the eaves, all classrooms would be repainted, some doors would be repainted or refinished and some concrete areas in the parking lot, bus loop and sidewalk would be repaved. At Carson, improvements would include some exterior painting and roof repairs.

Multipurpose Building

The Multipurpose Building, located between the middle and intermediate schools, would receive roof repairs and HVAC upgrades.

High school

Bond money would be used to add a parking lot at the high school. New door locks would also be installed.

Support services

The Support Services Building, made up of two sections - one built in 1938 and another in the 1960s - would receive several upgrades. The interior and exterior of the building would be painted, and the part of the building built in the 1960s would be replastered on the exterior to match the older section. Air conditioning units installed in the 1980s would be replaced, and doors in the 1960s area of the building would be replaced. Windows would be replaced to make them more energy-efficient. Other upgrades would include restroom renovations and roof replacement.

Eagle Stadium

The bond would pay for artificial turf to replace the grass playing surface. Chain link fence would be replaced to match the wrought iron fence already in place on the north and west side of the stadium (approximately 2,000 feet). A concession stand with restrooms would be added on the south side of the stadium. The parking lot north of the stadium would be repaved and striped, and the road on the east side of the stadium would be repaved for a fire lane.

Financial impact

The district calculates that the bond would increase the monthly tax bill $3.19 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home. Existing senior homesteads would be unaffected by the bond unless significant improvements are made to the homestead property.

Early voting begins Monday. (See sidebar for a complete list of voting times and locations.)

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A slide show presentation of the bond issue is also featured on the district's Web site at http://www.decaturisd.us

Do you support or oppose the bond? The deadline to submit a letter to the editor on the issue is Friday, Oct. 23. Go to http://www.wcmessenger.com/submit/letter.php to send in your letter. Please keep it 400 words or less.