St. Ignatius school administrators seek to pass bond
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ST. IGNATIUS – A school bond hasn’t been passed by taxpayers in St. Ignatius for about 45 years, but school administrators say the school is in desperate need of repair, so they are asking taxpayers to break that historic record and pass a bond in the spring election.
On Tuesday, Dec. 8, the public was invited to an informational meeting to hear about the school’s needs and to add their input to the project. Administrators plan to hold more meetings and would like more public input. The school board makes the final decisions in February based on those recommendations before the bond is put on the election ballot.
Administrators are contemplating the dollar amount of the bond, trying to find a number the public would be willing to pass. A bond at $8 million would cover all of the problems and a bond at $4 million would cover the basics. The bond set for 20 years at $4 million would increase the taxes on a $100,000 home by about $130 a year. A bond at $8 million would add $280 a year to a home valued at $100,000.
“Somewhere between four and eight million is the number we are looking at,” Superintendent Jason Sargent said.
He said a permissive levy would cover the cost of fixing the parking lot and sidewalks at $50,000, and another permissive levy could be run to update the school’s technology systems at $25,000, but he hopes to run the larger bond at $4 to $8 million to also cover the cost of repairs and additions.
The high school was updated last year with new siding, office space and a student sitting area, and the projects were paid for by a grant. Another grant paid for the addition of a multi-purpose lunchroom and classrooms in the elementary a few years ago, but Sargent said the basic portions of the schools have gone without repairs due to a lack of funding. An inspection of the facility revealed a long list of problems.
“From a health standpoint, there are things that we need to get done,” he said of the internal structure of the school.
Sargent plans to apply for more grant assistance, but, he said, grants aren’t guaranteed.
“We are applying for grants, and if we get them, they will offset the things on the list, but we can’t count on them,” he said.
Administrators took a few community members and school board officials on a tour of the school to look at the items on the list. The elementary school building was looked at first. It was pointed out that chunks of the school’s stucco-like exterior walls were broken.
“The roof needs re-done,” Sargent said pointing at a seam on the roof where a hard foam substance was coming out. The elementary structural and roof repairs are estimated at $96,000. Elementary School Principal Dan Durglo wants the side of the school where elementary students are picked up and dropped off to change.
“It gets congested over here,” he said explaining that a longer sidewalk would make the area safer and handicap accessible.
It was also pointed out that the computer lab lacked ventilation making it very hot in the summer and the roof in the hallway often leaks. Other problems include a shop and art room that need improvements at an estimated $15,000, or a completely new shop at $590,000. A cracked tennis court could cost $100,000. A new music room in the high school could cost $624,420. The weight room ceiling also needs to be fixed along with the family and consumer sciences room.
Sargent said the bathrooms in the main entrance were one of his biggest priorities. The toilets often have plumbing problems, and he said the school really needs a new gym and locker rooms. The locker rooms are small, the showers don’t work properly, and the one toilet needs repairs. An additional gym was the biggest ticket item on the list at $1,445,120 with an additional $863,000 for locker rooms. The current gym also needs ceiling repairs estimated at $80,000.
“We need an additional gym for practice space and games,” he said. “As it is, we don’t have enough space. I know all this seems like a lot of money, but these things really need to get done.”
Community members at the meeting agreed that many of the things on the list needed fixing. They suggested that the project be based on function, not visual appeal, and they wanted money set aside for maintenance. They also said $8 million might be a bit high, and it was recommended to put the bond closer to $5 million. Sargent said he welcomes more public input. He can be reached at 406-745-3811, ext. 260.
