Decorah school board trying to figure out how to pay for school renovations

At their Monday night meeting the Decorah Community School Board spent considerable time listening to a variety of funding stream possibilities and architectural considerations as they progress in major plans for renovations of Decorah school buildings. Board members acknowledged that the complexity of funding issues would need to be clearly mapped out to the public in an understandable way as they proceed.

Jon Burmeister from PFM (Public Finance Management) outlined potential funding streams related to debt service levies, local options sales tax and the PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy) that could amount to funds in excess of $20 million. But any projects would likely need to be phased projects. Also discussed was the possibility of accessing a Qualified School Construction Bond program – essentially a near interest free bond program that is part of the federal economic stimulus package. Issuance of bonds under that program could generate about $8 million. The board authorized Superintendent Mike Haluska to work with Struxture Architects to make application for the bond program.

Another consideration was revamping applications for federally funded FEMA "safe room" grants. The revised application would now include a "safe space" area in the renovation program that could accommodate 888 people in a new high school locker room, fitness, and health/cardio area. Winning a grant in that area could result in about $1 million. The district will also consider applying for another safe room grant at John Cline School.

The whole renovation project is a series of dominoes, dependent on grants, funding streams and potential bond issues with planning needed to prioritize projects related to the availability (and timing) of dollars. The priority at this point is high school renovation and the first steps would include remodeling the east end of the high school, including electrical and HVAC systems, the incorporation of geo-thermal energy, and an expanded industrial trades area. It would also include the "safe room" areas noted above.