Bryant School Board members are expected to discuss future building construction plans and the 2009-2010 budget today.
The 6 p.m. meeting will be held at the Professional Development Center on the campus of Bryant High School, off North Reynolds Road.
Among the agenda items is a preliminary 2009-2010 budget for the district. An update on the state of construction plans for Bryant schools is expected to precede that discussion.
Voters in the district approved a 3.9 millage increase on March 10 to make significant improvements to the high school campus and to other facilities, according to Superintendent Richard Abernathy. The millage, coupled with state revenue, is expected to generate about $34 million for facilities improvements.
More than 3,000 voters in the Bryant School District voted in the millage election, with 54 percent supporting the additional mills.
Bryant’s millage rate is now 37.2 mills. The state average is 36.57 mills.
“We are making some improvements now including work in the classrooms and restrooms of the high school,” Abernathy said. “We have also done some work to the gymnasium because the roof was leaking, but most of the major improvements will have to be phased in and next summer will see more significant projects begin.”
He said during the falll semester, students will see very little work, but in the winter semester this will change. Abernathy also said the goal is to be completed with all the projects by August of 2012.
James H. Cone, Inc. of Little Rock was approved by the oard to make final designs for all the projects.
The bulk of the the project packet includes 35 new classrooms, four art rooms, five business and technology rooms, two multipurpose rooms, a counselor’s office, a security office, a principal’s office and a media center. Other projects include installing security cameras and fencing, paving parking lots and more.
“We are also looking at a new possible entrance to the high school off Reynolds Road and tearing down some older buildings,” Abernathy said. “The classrooms will also be larger at 900 square feet. With a new technology center, we should alleviate issues and problems we currently have with so many computers at our schools.”
The millage is expected to generate $28,674,000 for construction, renovation, paving, awnings, moving utilities, demolition of current facilities and other work at the high school; and $295,000 will be used for security fencing around the north and south high school campus, according to Abernathy.
He said $590,000 would pay for security cameras on all campuses; $1,180,000 for painting remaining high school buildings; $153,400 for playground improvements at elementary schools; $1,026,600 for energy management controls for all campuses; $708,000 for heating, ventilating and air conditioning replacements, including the high school and Bryant elementary campuses; $283,200 for replacing security locks on older facilities, including the high school and Bryant elementary campuses; and $755,200 for new paving and improvements.
“We need some roofs repaired at various campuses including the Paron facilities,” Abernathy said. “We have a variety of projects to work on at almost all of our campuses.”
He said $590,000 would be spent for new and upgraded technology, including new computers and infrastructure, such as replacing wiring at various campuses. All the projects total $34.26 million, but Abernathy said all are drastically needed.
The bonds will be issued in the principal amount of $28,565,000 and will be scheduled to mature in 30 years, the superintendent noted.
According to the superintendent, the amount of taxes a homeowner pays depends on a structure’s assessed value. For a home valued at $50,000 with an assessed value of $10,000, the tax increase per year would be $39 or $3.25 per month if the millage is approved. Abernathy said for a $200,000 home with an assessed value of $40,000, the additional 3.9 mills would result in an increase of $156 per year or $13 per month.
If the 2009 millage had failed, Abernathy said the district would have met with state officials to determine how the district could address projected growth. He said the school would have received a letter from the state, by law, 10 days after a failed millage to determine how to build classrooms to take care of the growth.
Abernathy also plans to make the new improvements to the campus and new buildings Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified schools. The district already has the state’s first two LEED-certified schools with Bethel Middle School and Hurricane Creek Elementary School, which Abernathy said are expected to save $11.3 million in the district’s future.
In other business, the board will receive an update on items to help the district’s future technology; will discuss student transfers; and receive administrative reports including those from finance and the superintendent’s office. The board also will also discuss the artwork on its agenda cover.
Board members also are expected to consider resignations and employment issues in an executive session. The board will take action as on any of these items when it reconvenes in open session, the agenda notes.
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