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Vote in our ongong opinion survey:

Should the Adair County School District fight to keep Nickel Tax if vote required

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Adair County School District
Proposed Nickel Tax

The Adair County Board of Education has scheduled a special-called School Board meeting to address questions and concerns in regard to the proposed Nickel Tax. This meeting will be held at the Col. Wm. Casey Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at 6:00 P.M.

The School Board voted to send the Nickel Tax to the polls on Tuesday, December 6, 2005. Please consider the instructional needs of our students and the impact of this Nickel Tax and vote on December 6th. The facts surrounding the Nickel Tax are provided below in an effort to assist you with making an informed decision.

Background

The local facilities planning committee met during the Summer/Fall of 2003. This committee consisted of parents, teachers, administrators, Board representative, and community members. The committee inspected and discussed all building needs in the district and visited other school districts. The committee worked with an architect to determine renovation and construction costs. Public forums were held. Prioritized recommendations were submitted to the Board, which were approved and submitted to the State Board for approval.

The cost of the approved renovations and construction projects is $33,926,276.60. Costs for the renovation of Knifley, Shepherd, and Sparksville, which were considered Category 5 schools totaled $16,152,581. The cost for new construction totaled $11,685,514, of which $6,427,136 were from state fundsa $4,467,067 savings over the cost of renovations. The cost for renovating Col. Wm. Casey, a Category 4 school totaled $7,507,029.

The priorities as submitted by the planning committee are:

1. New school presently under construction


2. Adair County Middle School further renovations


3. Adair County High School HVAC renovations completed with Energy Savings Performance Bonds


4. New School to replace Col. Wm. Casey


5. John Adair Intermediate School renovations


6. Lacy Music Building or Band Room/Auditorium for the High School


7. Alternative School and Adult Learning Center


8. Bus Garage and Maintenance Building


9. Central Office


10. Other Athletic Building at football field, softball field lights (currently being installed) and baseball field maintenance issues

The current bonding potential is $385,000 after current new school completion.

Facts About Nickel Tax

The proposed Nickel Tax will generate $287,205 local funds which would bond $3,375,000, with a potential $416,138 of state funds which would bond $5,410,000. Six school districts passed the Nickel Tax in 2004-05 and received state funds. Eight districts have passed the tax for 2005-06. The total potential bonding of $9,145,000 can only be spent for new construction, major renovations or debt service.

This bonding will allow the Board to begin addressing the unmet facilities needs of the district. None of these funds can be spent for salaries, fuel for buses, supplies, textbooks, etc. No local tax means no additional state funds for these renovation/construction projects.

The Nickel Tax will be assessed on the value of real estate and tangible personal property. This does not include motor vehicles, furniture, cattle, farm equipment, etc.

For example:

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$100,000 of assessed value = $59.00 per year

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$50,000 of assessed value = $29.50 per year

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$25,000 of assessed value = $14.75 per year.

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One-hundred percent (100%) of these funds go toward the needs of Adair County students. Noportion of this tax will be sent to the state.

Why approve Nickel Tax?

The children of Adair County are our most valuable asset. Our children deserve the best that Adair County can provide them and they deserve the same opportunities that are provided to children in surrounding school districts. Our children deserve an investment of just over $100 per student per year. Our children are worth it!

On December 6, 2005, the voting public of Adair County can make a difference in the future of our children. Please consider the impact that the Nickel Tax will have on our students and community and vote on December 6th.

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