Language set for R-I bond issue

Signing papers

After voting last week to place a $1.2 million general obligation bond issue on the April ballot, on Wednesday the West Nodaway R-I Board of Education decided the specific language.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” said Superintendent Nancy Greeley. “Emails have been coming in like crazy. People are very interested in this adventure we are going on. It has been busy, but a good busy.”

This method of financing would leave the current tax rate in the district unchanged. The current debt-service levy stands at 50 centers per $100 of assessed valuation. The district would pull $125,000 from reserves for the project.

The main portion of the funds would go toward the installation of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system for the elementary building, Greeley said.

“We currently have a geothermal system that was installed in 1995 when the elementary building was built,” she said. “However, the system has not worked properly over the past several years and the district is putting more and more money into an old system.”

The ballot will state: “…for the purpose of providing funds to complete repairs, upgrades and renovations to the existing facilities of the district including the installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems…”

“This is the wording I feel comfortable with,” Greeley said. “The school attorney feels comfortable with it.”

On Jan. 26, Greeley said the district will make a public announcement requesting proposals from architects and engineers interested in bidding on the project.

Proposals are due by Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.

The district will decide on a company by March 18.

“We want experience, qualification, to see their financial approach,” Greeley said. “When they submit their proposal, we’ll evaluate that.”

In addition to the bond issue covering the cost of heating and cooling, Greeley said she is looking for a company that can provide all architectural services.

“I don’t want to close the door,” she said. “When we get these proposals, they are going to throw us different things with the understanding that we have $1.2 million and that’s it. I would like to see it come in a little less, so we can spend a little bit more money on other things. I don’t know if that will happen.”

However, Greeley said there is no way to know how many proposals the district will receive.

“We might get one, we might get 20,” she said. “We’ll interview them and select our qualified provider in March, so we can submit a contract to them, pending its approval in April.”

The entire bidding process will remain pending until April, if the ballot measure is passed.

“It’s all pending until this goes through,” Greeley said. “If it doesn’t pass, this all goes away and the bidders know that.”

Greeley anticipates work will begin on May 1.

“Yes, we will still have kids in the building, but the company can start working outside,” she said. “When we get the proposals, I expect a lot of different time frame options. There’s a company from St. Louis who would start the day after it’s approved.”

At this point, Greeley hopes construction will wrap up by Aug. 5, and school is scheduled to begin Aug. 19.

“It might be a little tough,” she said. “We can negotiate that as we go through, but that date is my goal for now. It might not happen.”