Information about Abby K-12 and the referendum
BE OUR G UEST
On April 5, the School District of Abbotsford will be asking taxpayers to approve a $1,500,000 referendum for the purpose of helping to fund the 2022-2023 FEMA storm shelter/ classroom building addition.
The building is scheduled to begin construction in Aug. 2022, and be completed in June 2023.
What needs will be addressed through this project? The project provides a FEMA safe room for the community and district for use during and after any natural emergency.
The building can withstand an F5 tornado.
The building also solves critical overcrowding and space challenges in the elementary school with the continued growing student population.
The building provides a multi-purpose gym space that can be utilized by the district for before and after school events and community functions.
Three additional classrooms will be utilized by the district for four year old kindergarten.
A new community room will free up needed space in the high school.
Finally, the elementary school cafeteria will be expanded to provide adequate space for breakfast and lunch.
Why go to referendum now? In 2019 when the district applied for the FEMA grant, the estimated cost of the building was $3.3 million, with the grant picking up the cost of $2.2 million.
Since then, COVID, inflation and material shortages have increased the cost of the building to $6.7 million. The district has been planning and putting money into Fund 46 for capital projects, received over $340,000 in donations, and is utilizing other funding including federal COVID funding to complete the project.
A successful referendum will allow the district to maintain reserve funds necessary for unexpected emergencies and future capital needs.
The referendum funds will be borrowed through a short-term note of only four years with a low interest rate. The district will be able to borrow the referendum funds to complete this project without increasing property taxes.
The tax rate is projected to be lower over the course of the borrowing period than our current mil rate of $9.72. The district has resisted going to referendum three times in the past eight years and instead has utilized available funding and options.
This includes the 2014 track remodel, the 2018 addition of six classrooms, and 2021 pool remodel. The district and school board have done a tremendous job of being fiscally responsible over the years.
This has provided flexibility and allowed us to grow. The district needs the space and must complete the project due to increasing enrollment.
There will be informational sessions for the public to attend. There will be a presentation during parent/ teacher conferences on March 3 in the North Gym at 6 p.m. as well as a presentation to be included as part of an open house and a tour of the building on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the middle/high school commons.
As always, if there are questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Please get out and vote April 5.
Go Falcons! Ryan Bargender
B ARGENDER SUPERINTENDENT
ABBOTSFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
