Westfield Intermediate Plans Drawing Expansion
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Westfield-Washington Schools would add together classrooms and gym infinite, expand a cafeteria and renovate buildings commune-wide if a referendum passes Tuesday.
In an unusual motion, the rapidly growing district is asking residents to approve the plebiscite less than half-dozen months afterward passing one that covers salaries, benefits and programming. The few other Indiana districts posing ii referendums this school year did and so in the same election.
Superintendent Sherry Grate presented drawings at a customs meeting Mon — eight days before the May 2 election — showing proposed $ninety meg renovations and expansions at Westfield Intermediate, Middle and High School. Major changes included expanding the cafeteria and adding a gym at the intermediate schoolhouse, converting the heart school pool to a mini theater and adding a big wing of "instruction spaces" and "collaboration areas" to the loftier schoolhouse.
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With the vote quickly approaching, parents and community members withal had questions. Hither are the big ones:
Didn't nosotros already laissez passer this?
No. In Nov, voters approved a revenue enhancement increase through the operational referendum that will go toward expenses such as salaries and benefits. That increase is expected to bring in equally much every bit $v.5 million annually for seven years.
This referendum vote would be whether to bolster the majuscule projects fund, specifically for building renovations or expansions.
How much would this cost me, equally a homeowner?
The commune is asking for $0.3079 per $100 of assessed value to bring in $xc million.
If passed, a home valued at $400,000 before deductions would pay $58.44 per month, or $701.28 per yr. Tax caps do not utilize to referendums.
Where would the money go?
Westfield-Washington lists the project costs as follows:
- High schoolhouse renovation/expansion: $42,120,000.
- Middle school renovation/expansion: $16,730,000.
- Intermediate schoolhouse renovation/expansion: $7,150,000.
- Districtwide renovations: $24,000,000.
Later seeing this breakup, resident and parent Kevin Thomas said he was concerned by the lack of detail. During the meeting, Grate said the plans are based on quotes and estimations considering the district won't sign whatsoever contracts until the referendum passes.
"Trying to get basic information has been hard," Thomas said. "How can it be in its infancy if you're asking for $90 1000000?"
When IndyStar asked Grate for a breakdown of the $24 one thousand thousand in districtwide renovations, she said they are detailed in the commune's facility plan and mostly include maintenance for unproblematic schools. The facilities program identifies Shamrock Spring and Oak Trace as needing the most work in the next five years, more than $4 million and $1 one thousand thousand, respectively.
Why Westfield says it needs this
Westfield-Washington has grown by ane,070 students in the past five years, co-ordinate to land data, and is expected to go along growing. The 2016 demographic study projects more than 250 more than students next school year.
Indiana schools have options for funding building work. Districts can apply their regular capital project funding, which comes from property taxes, or use a general obligation bond. Notwithstanding, when districts turn to a referendum, information technology's typically because the project'due south price tag is as well loftier for regular belongings tax revenue to encompass. That regular property tax acquirement is regulated by the state and capped in Indiana.
According to the diagrams, Westfield wouldn't only build traditional classroom space. The renovations include adding a centre schoolhouse fettle areas, intermediate gym and music and Stalk rooms in all the buildings.
Grate said if the referendum doesn't pass, the district will consider portable classrooms. She said they toll $ane.3 million each to ready and $115,000 per year to maintain. The district would demand 68, she said.
Can Westfield afford to hire teachers to fill the new spaces?
Yes, Grate said, that'due south what money approved in the operating referendum covers. Grate said the district factored in the costs of calculation new teachers based on how many more than students are expected.
What happens if Westfield grows more speedily than expected?
One community fellow member pointed to the increased evolution in Westfield and asked what the district would do if the predictions in the demographic study are incorrect and more than students than expected move into the expanse. The underlying question being, would the district ask taxpayers for more than money, over again? Grate said before because additional buildings or expansions, the commune would "consider how we are using our space."
Telephone call IndyStar reporter Emma Kate Fittes at (317) 444-6129. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyEmmaKate
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Source: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/2017/04/27/big-questions-westfields-second-referendum-answered/100875268/
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