The Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan – 2037 would ensure a leaner school district facilities footprint, with all remaining school facilities being new or renovated were shared during a Board of Education Work Session on Monday (7/17/23).
CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover and Chief of Operations Jon Galbraith shared details on a proposed 2-phase plan that would improve and consolidate the district’s school building facilities, create a feeder school system, and add college and career and technology education (CTE) opportunities in three high schools.
“This is an opportunity to do something together. This is not about our own personal agendas. This is about the future of our city and the future of our kids…We have school districts all around us investing in their facilities. We want to re-establish our competitive edge so our kids want to stay here,” Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover said.
The proposed 2-phase plan would draw funding from several sources, including SAVE, PPEL, and two proposed General Obligation (GO) Bonds. This would be the district’s first proposed bond since 2000 or 23 years. Currently, CRCSD has $0 bond debt, as this debt was paid-off in 2021.
If the board approves the bond ballot language, phase 1 of the plan would include a GO Bond for $220 million, which would be on the ballot for a community vote on November 7, 2023. If passed by the voters, the district’s property tax levy would add $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable value. With this dollar amount, the district’s property tax levy tax rate would be very comparable to other neighboring districts. A GO bond needs at least 60% voter approval to pass.
“We are splitting the Facilities Master Plan into two phases to be as fiscally responsible as we can be and to only ask our voters for what we need now. We can’t accomplish everything in this plan at the same time, so we’ll make the ask when we need to,” said Jon Galbraith, Chief of Operations.
The proposed Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan would include the following:
- New 6th-8th Grade Middle School Building at New Site
- Renovations of Franklin 7th-8th Grade Middle School
- HS CTE Additions (at 3 Locations)
- HS New Turf Field (at 3 Locations)
- Renovations of Kennedy Cafeteria/Kitchen
- Metro Gym Updates
Phase 1 projects are expected to be completed by 2030.
Phase 2 would include a GO Bond for $225 million and would go back to the community vote in November 2029. Phase 2 of the proposed plan would include:
- New 6th-8th Grade Middle School at the Taft Site
- Renovations of McKinley Middle School as a 6th Grade building.
Projects during Phase 2 are anticipated to be done by 2037.
The district’s next step is to present the proposed bond ballot language during a Special Board of Education Meeting on July 31st. A week later, on August 7th, the Board of Education would hold another Special Session to vote on the final bond ballot language. Once approved, community support groups like the “Vote Yes Committee” will be able to take petitions to voters.
“This is a critical moment in time for CRCSD and the community. We haven’t asked the voters for a bond in over 23 years. The proposed comprehensive facilities master plan provides the blueprint to build greater access and opportunities for students, addresses increasing costs to upkeep aging buildings, and allows us to be fiscally responsible as construction costs continue to rise,” Dr. Grover, Superintendent.
More information regarding the overall Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan and funding will be shared soon.
Next Steps:
- July 31, 2023 – Special Board meeting – to hear proposed bond language which will detail Phase 1 of the plan.
- August 7, 2023 – Special Board meeting – to vote on bond ballot language
- November 7, 2023 – election
Learn About the Plan
Watch the discussion from the meeting
You can watch the full discussion of the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan below.