Members of the Prairie Central Board of Education agreed on the bond amount needed to finance the new school project and work on those buildings staying open.
The amount is $45 million and the financing terms will be defined more in the coming months. The board will discuss how long of a duration the bond is financed over which would help them be able to better educate the public on the tax rate.
“Of course, that can never be defined in advance perfectly as assessed values change and the interest rate of the bond is not perfectly known and will not be until it would be issued some months after the referendum, if it were to pass,” Board President John Wilken explained.
Air conditioning and major renovations would happen in buildings remaining in the district.
Another factor which will be discussed this fall includes the location of the new school, which Wilken said seems like it needs to go on new property due to a larger size needed than what is currently offered on the Prairie Central Elementary property off of First Street in Fairbury.
Legal staff will formalize the text for the referendum, which the board needs to vote on.
“We have not had an official vote up until this point,” said Wilken. “All of these meetings have been straw polls and we need to have a very official vote on what will go on the referendum.”
Just last week, the board chose what was referred to as the “New 3” plan with a new PK-4 building at a location in or around Fairbury to be determined. This calls for the retirement of PC Primary West in Chenoa, Primary East in Chatsworth and PC Elementary in Fairbury while keeping the Upper Elementary, Junior High and High School.
At this Monday’s meeting, District Financial Officer Cheryl Hoffman presented different funding scenarios to build the new PK-4 building with the Upper Elementary, Junior High and High School remaining the same.
The “instant” plan, which the board is moving toward, issues the bond for the full amount with a new build and selected work on the remaining three buildings. Another scenario was presented for a “gradual” plan which issues a bond for the new build only and selected work on the remaining buildings would be done as funds allow. The third “delayed” scenario would self issue a bond now for building needs and in year five issue a bond for the new build.
“We can make the gradual work pretty easy it seems to me,” said board member Brad Duncan. “I’m alright with the 20-year bond.”
“I really think you try to get this done and you go for 15 years,” added member Tim McGreal.
“I would not favor 20 years on this project,” noted Wilken.
Discussion then turned to land and where the new school should be located.
“Have we decided we are purchasing land?” asked board member Dana Kafer.
“I don’t think Westview is big enough if you demolish it,” stated Duncan.
McGreal agreed it could be more costly to build at the current elementary site.
Damien Schlitt of BLDD Architects said the intent is for current ball fields and the transportation area to remain on the property in the district’s possession.
“I have to assume there’s a property out there somewhere,” added Wilken.
During public comment, Danni Burger encouraged the board to leave the small-town schools open.
“Let the schools live,” she said.
Burger pointed to water increases in Chenoa and a McLean County airport tax on top of the school issue as being difficult for residents.
Kay Shiflett asked why the district is not building on property already owned at the current Prairie Central Elementary. Superintendent Paula Crane replied nothing has been decided on that yet.
John Rich complimented board members for their efforts.
“I’m so surprised people think you have your mind already made up. Obviously, they haven’t been to all these meetings.”
Rich urged the board to keep in mind many acres in the district owned by farmers pay a lot of the taxes.
“You’re doing a great job, thank you,” said Rich.
Another special meeting of the Prairie Central Board of Education is set for Monday, Aug. 5 with an additional meeting Thursday, Aug. 8 if needed.
Meetings which were scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday nights of this week have been canceled.
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