After a presentation by architects from Dake Wells on facility needs at the R-II School, the board informally authorized the architects to proceed with getting ready for a $7 million bond issue for early next year.

Board Member Allen Hoover said, “I don’t think any of this is fluff.”

Board Member Scott Cluck said, “It’s 100% needed.”

Board President Darrell Eason said, “I think we owe it to the kids.”

Architect Brandon Dake said, “You can go for a 4/7 majority in February or April.”

Supt. Mark Koca said that at today’s interest rates, the $7 million bond issue would require only a 34¢ increase in the current 49¢ levy. In 1991, a $3.4 million bond would have required the same 34¢ levy increase.

The priorities set by the facilities needs committee are:

Priority 1 – 5 MS/HS general classrooms – $911,250; 1 MS/HS art classroom – $354,375; 1 Elementary general classroom – $182,250; 1 Elementary art classroom – $303,750; 1 Elementary music classroom – $303,750; 2

Special Ed classrooms – $364,500. Subtotal $2,419,875.

Priority 2 – 1 MS/HS vocal music room – $388,800.

Priority 3 – 1 MS/HS PE space with lockers – $1,518,750.

Priority 4 – 1 HS lobby/commons space – $432,000.

Priority 5 – Campus-wide handicap accessibility – $75,000.

Priority 6 – 1 HS science lab – $225,000; 1 MS (6th) science lab – $225,000; 1 HS science classroom – $182,250. Subtotal – $632,250.

Priority 7 – 1 MS/HS nurse – $112,500; 1 Elementary nurse – $75,000. Subtotal $187,500.

Priority 8 – 1 industrial tech lab – $562,500; 1 industrial tech classroom – $182,250. Subtotal – $744.750.

Priority 9 – 1 Special Ed life skills classroom – $202,500.

Priority 10 – 2 small conference rooms – $202,500.

Priority 11 – 1 Elementary para office – $90,000.

Total: $6,893,925.

In three weeks from the meeting date, the architects will meet with the faculty for a design workshop to determine what would go where in the new and current spaces.