Panther Pitch

Over the past five years, the district has been working on plans to renovate and construct new space to support the educational program our

children participate in.

Mr. McDermott started the process by soliciting a community survey that identified 10 key projects. Over the course of the past five years, half of those projects have been completed. Two community driven advisory committees have spent the last two years studying facility data, options, and the impact on children, staff, families, and the community. Through a collaborative process, the plan meets the long term educational needs of our children, staff, and communities. The school board worked diligently to hold the district levy flat for Creston residents, while Prescott residents will see an increase as the former Prescott district accepts new debt for the district.

On March 1, residents will go the polls to vote on two ballot questions:

1. Do you support a $24.9 million dollar bond?

2. Do you support the Revenue Purpose Statement?

The Revenue Purpose Statement, if approved, gives the district the authority to borrow against future SAVE revenue.

The first question requires 60% of the votes to be yes in order to pass. The second question requires a simple majority in order to pass. Both

questions need to pass in order for the district to complete the proposed plan. It is possible that either one of two questions can pass. If that is

the case, the project will not have the necessary funds available to complete the project.

As I have been meeting with the public, one of the common questions asked is why retire the Early Childhood Center (ECC)? The committees

spent a considerable amount of time studying this and provided the following resolution. The ECC is the oldest building in the district and

houses around 150 students. The estimated cost to renovate the ECC is $14 million and the estimated duplicate costs for personnel and services

(staff, food service, transportation, custodial, etc.) is $250,000. This data was used to compare the cost of construction of a new space at the

elementary school to accommodate the students and to save $250,000 per year due to steamling staff and services.

What will happen to the ECC building? Two options have been identified. One option is to sell the facility and space to a suitable and value

added community member. Another option is to demolish the facility, with the exception of the AEA building. The existing playground can be

relocated to the elementary school. The school board is committed to ensuring it will not become a public nuisance or an eye sore.

I encourage you to learn more so you can make an informed decision on March 1. To learn more about the projects and the impact on our

schools, community, and residents please visit the district website (which includes the recording of the first public forum held on February 2)

or attend the second public forum 7 p.m. February 24 at the Creston Community High School auditorium.