Voters to again decide on $16.95 million school bond

Sidney's school board will again bring plans for a new elementary school before voters, hoping for approval of a $16.95 million bond. The measure was previously defeated in a September 2013 special election by just 105 votes.

The bond will appear on local ballots as part of the May 13 primaries, with the proposed school to be constructed along Fort Sidney Rd.

"While it did get voted down, it's obvious almost half of the voters are for it," Sidney Public Schools superintendent Jay Ehler said. "We hope this time we can get it passed."

At issue, in part, is the condition of Sidney's aging elementary schools. The oldest part of North Elementary, for instance, dates back to the 1920s. South Elementary was introduced in the 1950s. Since then the school system has had to build additions, install upgrades and patch the structures when needed. The demands imposed by wear and tear are constant, the board insists.

"These schools aren't getting younger," observed school board president Tom VonSeggern. "We're throwing more money into them for maintenance."

In addition to the cost of upkeep and renovation, the classrooms have been deemed inadequate for curriculum changes necessary for the modern world. Schools now need space-and infrastructure-for computer labs. The school system now offers a webcasting course. Students begin learning keyboarding, or how to navigate the electronic and mobile world, as early as the first grade.

"The school board is trying to do what is best for kids and part of that is to have the facilities," Ehler explained. "We're saying it's getting harder and harder to have the latest technology in old buildings."

Technology is not the board's only concern. The school system expects to add pre-kindergarten classes, which will fill every available room. Sidney Public Schools currently serves 1280 students, up more than 50 from the 2012-13 year. They anticipate an increase of between 10 and 20 every year over the next four years.

The proposed new building would house K-4 students. The board is so set on the need for the facility they already hired an architectural firm, DLR, as well as a construction management operation, Project One, to oversee things to completion. Cabela's, meanwhile, has promised to donate land and preparation on the plot, a contribution valued at $1 million.

By consolidating, the school system will save an estimated 10 to 15 percent on utilities expenses. They also expect to see benefits to the bottom line from keeping staff under one roof.

"Obviously the school board feels it's important," Ehler said. "We want to do it now because of lower interest rates and construction costs.

Since the failure of the bond issue in the September special election, board members claim the price of construction-including materials and contracting-increased $400,000. But the same call for urgency failed to resonate with some voters five months ago. In the wake of the narrow 105 vote defeat the board held two community meetings, hoping to learn from opponents just what upset the plans. While these events were not well attended, those who did turn out proved to be vocal.

"We sought public input," VonSeggern said. "They shared a lot on safety and location and asked 'why?'"

Closing South Elementary apparently caused only minor ripples. If the new building goes through, South Elementary will be sold. Several potential buyers have expressed interest in the property. Residents on the north side of town, however, expressed serious concern. According to plans, the longstanding structure would be torn down, leaving a bare space in the neighborhood, and children forced to travel to the new location.

After hearing from critics, the school board decided that, should the plan for a new building be approved, the North Elementary site would not remain vacant. The board revised its original idea and now will retain the modular building as an all-weather bus stop for children, as well as a community meeting site. They hope to use the rest of the property as work space for an expanded high school construction class program. With space for four homes, Sidney high students could build one house a year for four years, bringing new residents to the north side.

Much of the opposition, however, centered around an issue the school board is unable to amend-taxes. The $16.95 million bond translates into approximately $123 a year on property valued at $100,000. While this adds only $10 to $20 per month to the tab of most homeowners in the city, farmers and ranchers hit by last year's property value reassessments might see a larger toll.

Recently the Nebraska Department of Revenue's Property Assessment Division reported that statewide property taxes jumped by an average of 5.22 percent in 2013, often as a result of increased valuations, although city and county budgets, natural resource districts and the requirements of other government subdivisions-fire departments, for example-also help determine the final public burden. Residents in Phelps County witnessed a double-digit increase after voters approved a $13.9 million school project for Holdrege.

"We understand property taxes are high, but the longer we wait, the worse it's going to get," Ehler said.

The school district is banking on current interest rates and construction costs. If these increase, money required for a new building would also climb.

"We're spending extra money on old buildings now," Ehler continued. "The longer we wait we'll be spending more on both ends."

The board points out that, as Sidney expands in population, the amount due from individual property owners to pay off the bond may fall slightly. As with the high school bond, the board expects to take advantage of every opportunity to reduce the burden and the span of the payments. Through refinancing, the board shaved $3.2 million off the high school bond.

"This past year we went down a penny-which is not a huge amount, but it is $10 on a $100,000 house," Ehler explained.

Should voters again reject the proposal, the board promises to draw up new plans.

"The public has entrusted us to keep tabs on education," VonSeggern said. "These needs aren't going away."