Core group holds final facility meeting
Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2008
HUNTSVILLE -- The core group consisting of 23 members met Tuesday, Sept. 23, to finalize the plan that will be presented to the larger facilities team on Wednesday, Sept, 24, and ultimately to the School Board on Oct. 13 t.
"I want to thank you all again. We are getting close," Superintendent Shelby Sisemore told the group.
Sisemore explained that the district had three options. Option A is the passage of the restructuring of the existing debt, with no new millage, by voters in January and the subsequent construction of the proposed twelve classroom addition on the former High School Hill.
Option B is the district deciding to take a second lien bond, a move that will deplete the special building fund, which brings an estimated $ 80, 000 a year in interest into the district, and will cost a payment of $ 180, 000 a year. "This will be slow suicide to the district. I don't see how to avoid fiscal distress if we do this," Sisemore explained.
Option C is the state takeover. No one knows exactly what will happen if the state does come in.
"This is not to scare people, this is just where we are at," Sisemore said.
It was pointed out that if the state does come in and breaks the district up, patrons in those areas will instantly begin paying that districts millage; in the case of Springdale the millage is 50. 8 according to the Springdale chamber of commerce web site. Huntsville's is currently 32.
"Itís hard to believe we are talking about a state takeover in Huntsville, Arkansas," Sisemore said.
At the meeting held a week before, the proposed project came in with a higher budget number than Sisemore was happy with. At this meeting the budget came in at $ 3, 571, 884 and is $ 124, 500 under budget.
"I feel good right now where we are at," Sisemore said.
The architect explained it was very early in the budget and "there is a lot of give and take in there," Richard Alderman stated.
The group adjourned to visit Old Main and discuss the power lines and sidewalks briefly.
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