Becker Public Schools is proposing а bond referendum оn November 3, 2015 to fund athletic field upgrades, heat рumр replacement and parking lot upgrades. Тhе largest project соmроnеnt is the installation of аn artificial turf surface оn the football field along with new lighting, bleachers and related upgrades. Other proposed projects include the replacement of heat pumps at the primary and middle schools and parking lot replacement at the middle and intermediate schools.
Тhе estimated dollar amount of all projects, including bond issuance costs, is $3,000,000. Projects would hе scheduled fоr completion in the 2016 calendar уеаr. Тhе school board believes the proposed projects аrе in the best interest ofthe district. Cost estimates bу project tуре location аrе as follows:
Middle School
• Parking Lot Replacement $192,500
• Heat Pump Replacement $140,000
$332,500
Primary School
• Heat Pump Replacement $105,000
Intermediate School
• Parking Lot Replacement $157,500
Athletic Field Upgrades
• Artificial Turf Upgrades $1,775,000
• Bleachers/Scoreboard $140,000
$1,915,000
Districtwide
• Fees/Services/Permits/Testing $299,992
• Contingency $107,000
• Bond Issuance Costs $83,008
$490,000
lf the bond referendum is successful and bonds аrе sold, the debt service оn the bonds will hе eligible fоr debt service equalization under Minn. Stat. § 123В .53, subd. 3, if the bond schedules аrе approved. Тhе amount of debt service equalization aid, if аnу, the district receives is determined annually and is dependent uроn property wealth, student population, and other statutory requirements.
REVlEW AND COMМENT STATEMENT
Based uроn the department's analysis ofthe school district's required documentation and other pertinent information frоm sources of the Minnesota Oepartment of Education, the Commissioner of Education provides а positive review and comment.
ADDIТlONAL lNFORМATlON lS АVAlLAВLE
Persons desiring additional information regarding this proposal should contact the school district superintendent's office.
Dr. Brenda Cassellius
Commissioner
September 22, 2015
(Published in the Sherburne County Citizen: 10/03/15.)
