NORTH MAC SCHOOL DISTRICT #34 Community Forum December 8, 2010

Why Discuss a Construction Project So Soon After the Consolidation? Virden School District applied for a Construction Grant through the Capital Development Board in Virden School District applied for a Construction Grant through the Capital Development Board in The Illinois program was suspended for a period of time, but Virden remained on the 2003 list of schools. The Illinois program was suspended for a period of time, but Virden remained on the 2003 list of schools.

To Stimulate the Economy after the Recession, the Federal Government initiated BUILD AMERICA BONDS BUILD AMERICA BONDS

Goal of Build America Bonds: Public Works Projects Examples: To improve highway and rail systems nation-wide To improve highway and rail systems nation-wide To improve U.S. public school infrastructure (North Mac District) To improve U.S. public school infrastructure (North Mac District)

GOOD NEWS FOR NORTH MAC In the Fall of 2010, Mr. Graham was notified that the Construction Grant application had been approved by the Capital Development Board. In the Fall of 2010, Mr. Graham was notified that the Construction Grant application had been approved by the Capital Development Board. The North Mac Board of Education approved the transfer of the Virden Construction Grant to the North Mac District. The North Mac Board of Education approved the transfer of the Virden Construction Grant to the North Mac District.

The Funds May Be Used For: Acquisition Acquisition Development Development Construction Construction Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Improvement Improvement Architectural Planning Architectural Planning Installation Installation of buildings, structures, equipment, and land for educational purposes

What Steps Must the District Take to Move This Forward? What Steps Must the District Take to Move This Forward? Accept or Reject the grant at this time Accept or Reject the grant at this time Identify an affordable cost for a district project including the sale of bonds Identify an affordable cost for a district project including the sale of bonds Identify the scope/estimated cost of the project through an architectural RFP Identify the scope/estimated cost of the project through an architectural RFP Work with a professional to develop the ballot question Work with a professional to develop the ballot question

What Steps Has the Board of Education Taken thus Far? The Board has reviewed a number of building options with the district architect The Board has reviewed a number of building options with the district architect The Board has reviewed options for selling and re-structuring bonds with the goal of maintaining a reasonable tax rate The Board has reviewed options for selling and re-structuring bonds with the goal of maintaining a reasonable tax rate

Why Do We Need to Renovate Current Infrastructure? Estimates to repair current high school are excessive for a 1920 building ($9,934,440) Estimates to repair current high school are excessive for a 1920 building ($9,934,440) To improve efficiency and decrease operational costs To improve efficiency and decrease operational costs To enhance learning environment for students, staff, and community To enhance learning environment for students, staff, and community To accommodate future growth To accommodate future growth

Points to Consider When Choosing the Best Option: Tax rates for surrounding school districts Tax rates for surrounding school districts Total Cost of Project Total Cost of Project Percentage of total project costs the State will pay Percentage of total project costs the State will pay Amount of money needed for referendum (difference between cost of project and state percentage) Amount of money needed for referendum (difference between cost of project and state percentage) Actual bond and interest rate after refunding bonds Actual bond and interest rate after refunding bonds

After careful review of options, the Board of Education has concluded: The most fiscally responsible option for updating current infrastructure within the district’s financial constraints, while maintaining a reasonable tax rate, is to: The most fiscally responsible option for updating current infrastructure within the district’s financial constraints, while maintaining a reasonable tax rate, is to:

Construct an addition at the existing high school building Construct an addition at the existing high school building Demolish the existing 1920 structure Demolish the existing 1920 structure Construct a gymnasium/ fine arts auditorium in its place Construct a gymnasium/ fine arts auditorium in its place Update 1919 building at South Campus to decrease operating costs Update 1919 building at South Campus to decrease operating costs Update outdoor athletic facilities Update outdoor athletic facilities

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Since we are on the 2003 grant list, can we delay the referendum to a later date? If the district does not secure the local share by June 30, 2011, the district will be moved to the 2004 list. If the district does not secure the local share by June 30, 2011, the district will be moved to the 2004 list.

FY 03 Priority Ranking List (North Mac currently) FY 03 Priority Ranking List (North Mac currently) Includes 78 entitled schools under Priority B and 4 entitled schools under Priority A Includes 78 entitled schools under Priority B and 4 entitled schools under Priority A

FY 04 Application Cycle Includes 41 new applications Includes 41 new applications FY 05 Application Cycle Includes 88 applications Includes 88 applications

If the referendum passes, what are the time lines for construction? If it passes, we will be notified when additional bond authorization passes (either the fall or spring veto session) If it passes, we will be notified when additional bond authorization passes (either the fall or spring veto session) Once bond funds are available, the district will receive 45 % when contracts are awarded, 45 % when the project is 50 % complete, and 10 % at completion Once bond funds are available, the district will receive 45 % when contracts are awarded, 45 % when the project is 50 % complete, and 10 % at completion

What will the additional costs be to the tax payers? The goal is to keep the bond and interest rate level The goal is to keep the bond and interest rate level

What Happens Next? Form Citizens’ Referendum Committee (key people in community strategically chosen) Form Citizens’ Referendum Committee (key people in community strategically chosen) Train committee members on legal requirements of committee and prohibited activities Train committee members on legal requirements of committee and prohibited activities Referendum campaign planning Referendum campaign planning

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC