Explanatory Statement:

During the past four years, the Gervais School District analyzed the
district's immediate and long range needs. Through the work of a 25
member community task force, public meetings and staff input, the following
proposal was developed to upgrade existing schools, build a new school, and
add classrooms to meet the district's building needs. This proposal will
address crowding and needs caused by old buildings.

Last May, the district submitted a bond to the voters to meet the long range
needs of the district (10-15 years). There was a clear message from voters
that $18 million was too much of a tax burden at the present time. After
analyzing ways to meet the district's building needs in two phases, a plan was
developed to meet immediate needs (3-4 years) with the proposed $9.8 million
bond and then submit another bond in the future when the district has a better
picture of student enrollment growth and some of the current bonded debt has
been paid off.

The proposal answers the immediate demands of aging buildings, some over 60
years old, with bad - roofs, windows and siding. It also looks to the near future with
a 300-400 student (30-40%) enrollment increase from new subdivisions (250 homes)
currently being built in the district. Presently, eighty (80) homes are occupied and 125
or half of all the lots have been sold. The district saw an increase of 93 students from
May 1997 to September 1997, a 9.3% increase since last May. This proposal meets
the immediate needs of the district.

The bond addresses three areas:

Fire, safety and handicappedXX
  • Some work at all schools
  • Handicapped parking at Eldriedge and North Howell
    • XX
    Protect current investment
  • Replace the roof at Gervais High School and the
    • XX front section at Gervais Elementary
  • Replace the heating systems at North Howell
    • XXand Pioneer, extending the life of these buildings
  • Replace siding at Brooks and North Howell
  • Replace windows at Eldriedge and North Howell
    • XX
    Prepare for growth
  • Remodel and add on to the Gervais High School to increase
    • XXcapacity and improve academic programs
  • Purchase a site for a new elementary
  • Build a new elementary
  • New classrooms will increase student capacity
    • XXfrom 1210 to approximately 1560 students

    The bond attempts to offer a common sense approach to current building needs. The proposal
    will upgrade existing buildings and provide attractive, safe and low maintenance buildings similar
    to Eldriedge and Gervais High; it attempts to offer a practical approach to meet student
    educational needs by providing safe classrooms and adequate space to reduce overcrowding.
    Every year that we put this work off, inflation raises the total cost.


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