Warden asks voters to approve bonds sale

Bond to fund renovation of gym

WARDEN — The Warden School Board signed a resolution Thursday asking voters to approve a $9.34 million bonds sale to improve the district's schools.

The proposal is included in the March 13 election. It includes an expansion and modernization of the district's cafeteria-kitchen and support services building, a new music suite addition to the high school and a renovation of the high school gym.

"These have been identified as the most urgent needs of the district," Superintendent Sandra Sheldon said.

The cafeteria-kitchen and support services building project includes additional space, upgrades to the mechanical, electrical, technological and heating and ventilation systems, and health and safety improvements.

Board member Steve Graham said the cafeteria is meant to serve approximately 300 people.

"We're serving about 900," Graham said.

The high school gym project includes upgrades to the gym and locker rooms, reconfiguring and modernizing the concession booth and other capital improvements.

"I think the board's worked very hard trying to take into account the needs of the community and listening to community members' input in really trying to put together a project that's going to be fiscally responsible but yet meet the needs of the district as they are right now," Sheldon said.

Design West Architects Vice President Laurence Rose said the district is receiving state matching funds. A specific amount was unavailable Thursday.

"The state will contribute a significant amount of funds for these projects," Rose said.

The district did not have an available estimate for the collection rate of the bonds sale.

Vice President of construction management company KJM & Associates Bill Grubich expressed concern with the district's time frame for bringing the proposal to voters. Campaigning typically lasts months for bonds, Grubich said. He said he understood the district had yet to campaign for the proposal, despite a March 13 election date.

"That's a really short period of time," Grubich said. "Can it be done in that? Absolutely."

Grubich said during his tour of the facilities, he saw the district's need for upgrades, as evidenced by the asbestos-containing material inside buildings, the condition of the district's geothermal plant and the capacity of the cafeteria. The district needs sufficient time to convey its needs to voters, he said.