Warden schools may seek bond approval

WARDEN — Warden School District could bring a bonds proposal to voters in 2009.

The school board discussed the issue at a study session last week, but no decisions were made. 

“There’s a couple of reasons why we might want to go ahead with this,” said District Superintendent Sandra Sheldon.

Sheldon said the proposal would come during one of the best bidding times. Interest and bonds rates are expected to go down, she said.

Market conditions could mean more bids and lower cost estimates, Sheldon said.

She noted a $10 million building in the Spokane School District received 16 bids. The number of bids is due to lack of construction, Sheldon said.

The March 2009 special election is the earliest a proposal could be brought to voters, Sheldon said.

If the district runs a bonds proposal, it will be the third year doing so. Proposals brought to voters in 2006 and 2007 failed.

“Even if it doesn’t pass, it will put us in a really good place for the economic stimulus package,” Sheldon said.

A plan would already be in place for renovations and the district can show the failure of a bonds proposal three times. Both conditions are favorable for the stimulus package, which benefits roads, bridges and schools, she said.

A bonds proposal passed in 1995 for renovations to the high school and middle school will be paid off in 2010, she said.

Sheldon said the biggest needs are renovations to the kitchen and cafeteria.

Built in 1959, the cafeteria was intended to prepare 300 lunches.

Sheldon said the cooks now serve 1,100 to 1,200 meals daily.

“Its grossly overcrowded, and so that is our absolute need,” she said.

A new proposal for voters has not been finalized.

A bonds proposal for $8 million in 2006 asked tax payers to fund projects including a music suite, commons area and kitchen.

The 2007, a $9.34 million bonds proposal was sought to fund an expansion and modernization of the district’s cafeteria-kitchen and support services building, a new music suite addition to the cafeteria and a renovation of the high school gym, with the possibility of other projects paid for with state matching funds.

“If we decide not to go with the whole ball of wax, I would still like to do something kitchen-wise,” said board member Rob Shuler.

Shuler mentioned the possibility of running a two-year construction levy. He requested the cost of renovating just the kitchen and the cost per $1,000 of assessed property value for a levy.

Sheldon said a project can be paid off in two years with a two-year construction levy. At the same time, construction cannot begin until funds are collected.