Explanatory Statement:



Schools in the Gervais School District have a long and proud history of providing a quality education in small rural schools with small class sizes. To maintain the long established community standards of small rural schools and to prolong the useful life of all district buildings, the district proposes to make the following improvements. The following are district problems and bond levy solutions:

Many of the schools are reaching an age where heating, siding and roofs need to be replaced to extend the life of the buildings and to maintain a safe learning environment for students. Eleven percent (11%) of the district's total building square footage is over 60 years old, twenty-three percent (23%) is over 40 years old and sixty-one percent (61%) is over 30 years old.

Protect current investment

  • Replace the roof at Gervais High School and the front roof at Gervais Elementary
  • Replace the heating systems at North Howell and Pioneer
  • Replace siding at Brooks and North Howell
  • Replace windows at Eldriedge and North Howell

    The district saw a 9% increase in student enrollment from last May to September. Gervais Elementary and the high school both had a 12% increase from last May to September. The district expects the same increases over the next two years with a total increase of 30-40%.

    The Gervais Elementary site is too small to house the 550+ students the district projects in the next two years. This requires a second school at a new site in Gervais. The bond proposal will build a new K-5 building at the new site and house grades 6-8 at Gervais Elementary. Without this new space, students will need to be bussed from over-crowded buildings to other schools in the district that have additional space.


    Prepare for growth

  • New classrooms will increase student capacity from 1210 to approximately 1560 students
  • Remodel and add on to the Gervais High School to increase capacity and improve academic programs, including the purchase of land to relocate and equip athletic fields
  • Purchase a site for a new elementary in Gervais
  • Build a new elementary in Gervais - to be used in conjunction with the current elementary to maintain a K-8 program

    Most of our district buildings do not meet current state and county building codes.

    Fire, safety and handicapped

  • Make major fire safety improvements at Gervais Elementary

  • Handicapped parking at Eldriedge and North Howell

  • Other required safety and handicapped access work at all schools

    All bond proceeds will be used to complete the improvements listed above and their associated costs-bond counsel, architects, engineers and permit fees. The proposal attempts to offer a practical approach to meet student educational needs by providing safe classrooms and adequate space to reduce overcrowding. It maintains our current K-8 focus with programs at Brooks/Eldriedge, Gervais (in the old building and proposed new building) and North Howell/Pioneer. Every year that this work is put off, inflation raises the total cost.

    Submitted by:
    David Nuss, Superintendent
    Gervais School Board

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