High School and Vocational Center Project

1. High School and Vocational Center Project Public Informational Sessions October 2009

2. Presentation Outline • Why the project is necessary • Features of the plan • The numbers (cost of the project) • The impact (cost in the context of annual budgets) • A statement on accountability • Questions and where to get more information

3. Why the Project is Necessary The current high school and vocational building opened over 40 years ago. While it has been well cared for over the years, it no longer meets the educational needs of our students in a wide variety of areas, identified most recently in the NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation report in 2006.

4. Why the Project is Necessary • Serious air quality and safety issues exist, caused by the location of the bus and automotive garages within the school building. • Portables house a large percentage of our programs and are at the end of their usefulness. • Serious traffic safety issues exist, caused by crowding (portables restrict traffic flow and parking) and bus traffic.

5. Why the Project is Necessary • The library, cafeteria, guidance and administrative offices, the music room, and other spaces are inadequate for the current population and needs. • Many of the building's systems are in need of replacement or major upgrades. • The building is in need of major energy efficiency upgrades (windows and insulation).

6. Why the Project is Necessary • Loss of accreditation would negatively impact students in their application for college enrollment and student aid. • The current bus repair facility is inadequate for the current fleet, and mechanics often work on buses out of doors, even in colder months of the year. • A modernized high school and vocational center will help attract young families and businesses to the Lake Region.

7. Why the Project is Necessary • It is essential for LRHS/VC to serve both college-bound and technical career path students, many of whom find jobs right here in the Lake Region. • The construction and renovation plan will modernize both High School and Vocational Center, and help Lake Region students successfully transition to college and work.

8. Features of the Plan • The SAD #61 Facilities Committee and Board believe that the District must strive to provide the best possible education to our students for the many challenges they will face in the 21st century. • But the District must do so in the context of severe resource challenges. Thus, the plan has been developed to be as cost effective as possible.

9. Features of the Plan The plan includes construction of a new Vocational and Educational Services building to house the automotive and building trades vocational programs, the transportation repair facility, and administrative office for the transportation, facilities, and food service programs.

10. Features of the Plan This new building, to be built adjacent to the high school on land owned by the District, will be constructed using pre-fabricated metal materials and traditional bricks and mortar to achieve maximum durability at an affordable cost.

14. Features of the Plan Renovations within the current High School and Vocational Center include: • Complete renovation of the current vocational wing to house programs currently situated in the White House modular building (culinary arts, business and office computers, health sciences, diversified occupations, and drafting. • Expansion and complete renovation of the High School library. • Expansion and complete renovation of the High School administrative and guidance offices.

15. Features of the Plan • Renovations within the current High School and Vocational Center include: • Complete renovation, expansion, and opening up the cafeteria. • Addition of 6-8 new classrooms, including a new dance space. • Expansion of the current chorus and band instruction and rehearsal space. • Modernization of all infrastructure elements (lighting, windows, HVAC, electrical, etc.) in renovated areas. • Removal of the existing modular buildings.

19. The Numbers Total Project Cost: $13,837,000 $4.57 million for the Vocational and Educational Services Building $9.26 million for the High School and Vocational Center renovations

20. The Numbers The District has been pre-approved by the Commissioner of Education for $10 million in 0% interest QSCB (Qualified School Construction Bonds--part of the stimulus bill), saving over $5.5 million over the life of the bonds compared to traditional financing. These 0% interest bonds are not likely to be available after 2010.

21. The Numbers The District’s 10-Year Facilities Plan began with identifying savings in more efficient use of all District facilities: • closing the Casco Memorial School • renovating the lower level of the Middle School to house all District 6th graders • repurposing Crooked River Elementary to house Adult Ed and Special Services administrative offices • closing Bridgton Memorial School, scheduled for 2010. Total average annual savings of the above: $625,000 Total savings over 10 years: $5.35 million

22. The Numbers • Construction costs, due to the weak economy—especially in the construction industry—are coming in as much as 20% below estimates. • Much of the $13.8 million construction and renovation work would likely be awarded to local and regional construction companies. • This is a great time to build!

23. The Numbers • By comparison: • Biddeford High School renovation - $34 million • Westbrook Middle School construction - $29 million • Mt. Blue HS/VC construction - $64 million • Gorham Elementary construction - $26 million

24. The Impact • Key Questions to Assess Impact: • What have we already been spending each year on facilities-related bonding? • What future annual savings can we count on from recent facilities efficiencies? • How will the budget be impacted by bonds we retire? and • How does State subsidy for bonding effect the equation?

25. The Impact The District budget over the past 10 years has included an average of $473,804 in local costs for construction-related bonds (Stevens Brook, the athletic complex, and Lake Region Middle School). As these bonds are retired over the next 10 years, the District will be able to absorb additional bonding with manageable annual impact.

26. The Impact • NEW bonding for the proposed project would add an average of $1,000,000 to the District budget over the next 10 years. • However, factoring in the savings related to the retirement of existing bonds, and the facilities-related annual savings of $625,000, the average net impact would be less than $270,000 per year above and beyond our average spending on facilities-related bonding over the last 10 years.

27. Debt Service: $2,195,578 Subsidy and Facilities Savings: $1,311,388 Net: $884,190 Debt Service: $1,428,241 Subsidy: $921,975 Net: $506,266 Debt Service: $1,799,652 Subsidy and Facilities Savings: $1,023,239 Net: $776,413

28. 10 Years

29. The Impact to Taxpayers Using the average annual amount of $268,609 net impact during the next 10 years, here’s how a ‘Yes’ vote would affect your tax bill over that time period: For every $100,000 of assessed property valuation, theaverage 10-year impact (after debt retirement and facilities savings are included, and compared to what we currently spend): • In Bridgton $11.45 • In Casco $7.15 • In Naples $6.23 • In Sebago $5.27

30. An Important Note • The annual District budget process provides yearly accountability on these projections. • The administration and Board must continue to earn the trust of local voters by building annual budgets that do not exceed what is authorized.

31. Questions? • Sources of information: • Brochure • District website • LRTV broadcasts • Letter to parents • Informational sessions • Public hearing on Oct. 26th 7:00 p.m. at LRHS • Contact Patrick Phillips at 647-3048 or pphillips@sad61.k12.me.us