HUMBOLDT — Amber Wheeler wishes the upcoming school bond issue for $17.45 million included more bright, shiny objects and bells and whistles.
“New roofs, fire alarm systems and HVAC systems aren’t very exciting,” she admitted. “But they are what will take our schools into the future.”
Wheeler is superintendent of schools for USD 258. When she began the job last July, it was with the knowledge the special election would be a priority.
“The nice thing is that all the big work was completed two years ago,” Wheeler said, including a facility study determining the needs of district buildings as well as community input affirming that the overwhelming sentiment was to keep the schools in their current locations.
“People like that the majority of students can walk to school and that the schools are part of the community,” she said.
Even so, she’s continually plagued by those asking why the district isn’t shooting for new schools.
“That’s the Number One question I hear,” she said.
Her reply?
“This bond issue gets us 25 years down the road. At some point, we may decide we need a new school. And by then we’re going to know a little bit more about what we need. But right now, our facilities are in good shape.”
The original election was scheduled for May 19, 2020, requesting $15 million. Then the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, closing schools and sending the economy in freefall. As a result, school board members pulled the election.
“All we’ve had to do is update the numbers. Even the bulk of the information in our flyers is the same,” Wheeler said of renewing the effort.
“The only big difference is that we went ahead and replaced the HVAC system at the high school last summer. That simply could not wait,” she said of the approximate $1 million expenditure.
As to be expected, the cost of the system-wide renovation has gone up.
The good news is that even with the increased costs, the mill levy will essentially return to what it was when district taxpayers were paying off the 15-year general obligation bonds for the $8.5 million community fieldhouse.
Those bonds were retired in summer 2021.
The state will contribute $3 million to the project, “which will mean we can stretch our dollars,” she said. State aid amounts to 11% of the principal and interest due.
It’s anticipated repayment on the bonds will carry a 3.7% rate.
