Officials answer questions about school bond project
Patrons of Marion-Florence USD 408 have questions about the proposed school building project. During the next several weeks, those questions will be addressed in the columns of this newspaper.
1. What is the project?
The project consists of three components:
1) A new performing arts facility that will be located on the Marion Middle School/High School campus. It will include an auditorium, dressing rooms, set and production room, and an additional music room.
2) A new top-loading competition gym that will have two practice gyms going across the main court. It also will have a walking track around the top of the gym that will be open to the public for daily use. As part of the gym facility, the district also hopes to add a new wrestling room and community wellness center.
3) A new swimming pool that will be open year-round. The pool will be suitable for competition swimming. The gymnasium and pool facility will be located where the current Marion city swimming pool is located.
2. What is the timeline for the project?
The project proposal and specific information regarding the project will be provided to the public from now until the April 4 election.
On April 4th, voters of USD 408 will be asked to vote "yes" if they support the construction of a new performing arts center, new competition gym, and new swimming pool complex.
Providing the voters support the project, the bonds will be sold in late April or early May and a general contractor will be hired by the first part of June.
Construction should begin in late summer and completion of the project is scheduled for the fall of 2007.
3. Will the gymnasium be handicap accessible?
Yes. The gym will be a top-loading gym with designated handicap areas that will keep patrons away from the danger of the action on the court.
4. Did you check with other architects?
The school board advertised and had six architectural firms express interest in the project. These firms sent portfolios for the board to review. After reviewing the portfolios of each company, the board selected three architectural firms to interview. After interviewing all three of these firms, the board selected Spangenberg/Phillips out of Wichita to do the project. Greg Tice also was selected as the lead architect for the project.
5. Where can I see proposed plans?
Proposed project plans are on display at the USD 408 district office, 101 N. Thorp, Marion, and at the Cottonwood Valley Bank in Florence. Another set of plans are on display in Marion and they will rotate to each of the banks in Marion, as well as other businesses.
6. How will the bond issue affect my taxes?
Currently, taxpayers of USD 408 are assessed 10.4 mills of taxes, which are used to pay the school district bond and interest payments. The district is currently about to pay off the debt of the last bond election. Therefore, the proposed project would not increase anyone's tax rate. Tax rates would stay at the same 10.4 mills. By simply continuing with the current bond and interest tax rate of 10.4 mills, it is possible to enhance the district facilities, without assessing anyone anymore than what is currently assessed.
7. Where can I register to vote?
A person can register to vote by contacting the Marion County Election Officer, Carol Maggard, at the Marion County Courthouse.
8. What about advance ballots?
Registered voters who will not be able to vote at the polls on April 4, may vote by utilizing an absentee ballot. Information regarding these ballots is available from the Marion County Election Officer, Carol Maggard.
9. Where can I get more information?
Additional information regarding the proposed project is available at Marion-Florence USD 408 district office, 101 N. Thorp, Marion.
Two public informational meetings regarding the proposed project have been scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Marion Middle School Commons Area in Marion, and at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the gymnasium in Florence.
Anyone is welcome to stop by or call the district office at 382-2117.
10. How will parking be affected?
The parking at the middle school/high school campus will actually be improved. Part of the proposed project will be to add nearly 100 parking spaces by converting the available area which is between the middle school and current gymnasium into parking. The proposed gymnasium and swimming pool complex also will have substantial parking incorporated into it, as well.
11. What will the district do if the bond issue does not pass?
If the bond issue does not pass, then the district will respect the actions of the voters and will continue to provide a quality education and activities program for the students of USD 408, in the current district facilities.
12. How many jobs will be created?
The proposed facilities would create two full-time positions and several part-time lifeguard positions.
13. Will we be without a pool for at least one summer?
If the bond election is approved, then we will begin the process of selecting a general contractor to do the construction work. It will be up to the general contractor to determine the timeline necessary to complete the project by the fall of 2007. Therefore, we won't know whether we will be without a pool until a general contractor is hired.
However, it is very likely the Marion pool will be unavailable for at least one summer.
14. Is there a possibility for a baby pool?
The current plans for the proposed swimming pool include a zero-entry area which has some toddler water toys incorporated into that area.
15. What will be the costs of any memberships?
Membership fees for the pool have not yet been set. However, both the City of Marion and USD 408 agree they want the pool membership fees to be set at rates that would encourage people to utilize the facility.
