TERRE HAUTE —
The Vigo County School Board on Monday approved an addition and renovation project at DeVaney Elementary, necessary to accommodate its growing enrollment.
The project, estimated to cost about $1.9 million, would be funded through a general obligation bond issue.
The board conducted a public hearing Monday, and there was no public comment.
The DeVaney project is part of the district’s long-term strategic facilities plan developed about 12 years ago, said Superintendent Dan Tanoos.
DeVaney Elementary’s enrollment has continued to grow over time and the school needs more space, he said. “We really need to add some classrooms” and provide other upgrades, he said.
During its regular meeting, the board approved Lorenz Williams Clinton Inc. as the project architect. “We’d like to get it done this summer and ready for the 2012-13 school year,” Tanoos said before the board meeting.
In 1994, the school’s enrollment was about 266 students, said Christi Fenton, assistant director for elementary education, and now it is close to 500. The school reached its capacity of 380 students in 2002.
She attributed the growth to several new or growing subdivisions that have been built in DeVaney’s district. Redistricting to neighboring schools is not an option because those schools are at their capacity, she said.
DeVaney has four full-day kindergarten classes, some of them in rooms intended for other purposes.
The board conducted a separate public hearing for proposed energy savings projects affecting 15 schools. Again, no citizens commented.
The energy savings projects would cost an estimated $3.4 million and would be funded through a general obligation bond. The projects include a chiller replacement at Meadows; kitchen improvements at Fuqua; boilers at some facilities; improved temperature controls; and increased cooling capacity for computer rooms at some schools.
The projects will make the district more energy efficient and save the school district money, said Franklin Fennell, director of facilities.
Because the energy savings projects are more than $2 million, there is a 30-day waiting period to see if there are any objections. Under the law, the project is subject to a petition/remonstrance process.
The DeVaney and energy savings projects could be financed through one $5.4 million general obligation bond issue or through separate bond issues, said Lonnie Therber, financial consultant.
The bond issue (or issues) will not bring higher tax rates, said Donna Wilson, the district’s chief financial officer. “We have debt that is being paid off over the next few years, so [the new debt] will be phased in to keep the debt rate level.”
In past years, these kinds of projects were financed from capital projects funds, Wilson said, but those dollars are now limited because of circuit breaker legislation.
At the meeting’s conclusion, Tanoos noted that Terre Haute North Vigo graduate Steve Weatherford will be going to the Super Bowl as a punter/holder for the New York Giants.
He also noted Weatherford’s contributions to the district, donating cleats and athletic shoes for students; conducting a free football camp in Terre Haute during the summer; and starting a grant through the Vigo County Education Foundation.
Tanoos said he hopes that in less than two weeks, Weatherford will be able to celebrate a Super Bowl victory with his hometown.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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