by Clarke Davis
Voters in Jefferson West USD 340 will be asked to decide a bond issue in November amounting to $21 million over the next 25 years.
The bonds are for the purpose of remodeling and making upgrades in all the district buildings, plus classroom additions at the elementary and middle schools.
The proposal includes a multipurpose facility, including a performing arts center, to be constructed between and connected to both the high school and middle school.
The district is currently debt free and has been for several years.
“The last major bond issue was for the building of the high school in 1996, so it’s been almost 30 years,” said Superintendent Dr. Brad Neuenswander.
There was a small bond issue about 15 years ago to do some upgrades and build a locker facility at the football field.
“This bond issue is unique in that 90% is for deferred maintenance and new classrooms,” the superintendent said.
He said numerous study committees involving community members have been formed in recent years. The process was interrupted by COVID-19 and then resumed last year.
The most recent committee has been aided by an in-depth building study by architects and engineers paid for by Mammoth. Neuenswander said the entire study resulted in costs totaling over $33 million.
“The committee had established priority lists and put the first two priority lists together to arrive at the $21 million to be voted on,” the superintendent said. “The total amount was out of reach.”
The bond will require a tax levy of 17 mills. The superintendent explained that the state will only provide 1% in state aid to assist the district. A mill in USD 340 raises $72,000.
Neuenswander said the average house in the district is valued at $193,000. To give an example of what it will cost an average homeowner, he used a value of $200,000 and came up with $1.10 a day or just over $400 a year.
The Ozawkie school
The school building at Ozawkie, built in the 1960s and leased out to Keystone in recent years, will revert to being used by the district for a pre-kindergarten program beginning next fall. It’s now called the Early Childhood Center.
Neuenswander said the Keystone offices will remain in place while the John Dewey Learning Center will be moved to Oskaloosa.
“We just needed access to the four classrooms,” he said.
Upgrades will be made to accommodate 3- and 4-year-olds, provide playground equipment, improve security, etc.
Elementary school
Four classrooms will be added to the southwest corner of the elementary building.
The superintendent said most grades used to be three sections and now four sections are needed for kindergarten and first grade.
“We have one class in the basement this year,” he said.
Middle school
The middle school consists of grades 5 through 8 and is out of room.
Neuenswander said three classrooms on the west side are sinking because of water runoff and it’s recommended the district raze those classrooms and build back with a six- or seven-room addition.
The offices are in the interior of the building and need to be moved to the entrance for better security and the superintendent said there has to be a better bus unloading zone.
“We’ve got parents picking up their children at the same time buses are loading and we need to devise a better plan,” he said.
High school
Upgrades at the high school will include better security along with the attachment of a performing arts building that will have multiple uses for extracurricular activities.
The proposal includes upgrades and a remodel of the agricultural building and a new track.
The superintendent said the current track has some serious cracks and is not suitable for holding meets.
Student population
Jefferson West had 835 students in the district last year, and are up about five students this year.
“When we begin a 3- and 4-year-old preschool next year we will add an additional 40 students,” the superintendent said.
About 18% of the students in K-12 live out-of-district.
The superintendent said the entire bond proposal, including the detailed engineering study, is available on the district’s website.
The Board of Education consists of David Jensen, Eryn Allen, Erin Payne, John Lloyd, Derek Helton, Matt Williams, and Kelly Midgley.
JEFFERSON WEST FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Board members:
Matt Williams
Eryn Allen
Derek Helton
Community:
Andy Surritt
Jake Farrant
Mark Lamb
Katie Renna
Charlie Ochs
Adam Petesch
Steve Vetch
Principals:
Brenna Dooley
Wes Sturgeon
Building reps
Carrie Bahr
Alan Dick
Jenni Lloyd
Maintenance director:
Tim Roberts
NEKCAP Rep:
Kim Lackey
Superintendent:
Brad Neuenswander