BOONE, Iowa—Boone School Superintendent , Dr. Brad Manard this week said the Boone School Board tabled action on their plan to approve a Letter of Intent to purchase land for a potential new elementary school.  On the KWBG Tuned In Program on Wednesday, Manard said the most recent information has been reviewed by the district’s attorney and the Board will consider proceeding with the Intent to Purchase Agreement in January.  He said quite a bit of work has gone into finding a suitable site and even if the board secures the site, patrons will still vote on any proposed project.

The Boone School District has also released their weekly question article.

QUESTION: I read where the Board of Education is considering a Letter of Intent to purchase land for a
new elementary school. What is the background on this?

ANSWER: Prior to the construction of the Middle School in 2006, the Boone Board of Education
developed a long-range facilities plan for upgrading our school buildings. In addition to a new middle
school, high school, and addition/remodeling of Franklin Elementary, this included a new PK-1 elementary
project to replace Lincoln and Page Elementary buildings.

The ideal location is on the south side of town with Franklin remaining on the northside. This will
accommodate traffic flow and benefits families dropping off young children, particularly those that may be
commuting. The land being considered is currently crop land located east of the end of Hancock Drive
between the golf course development and Corporal Roger Snedden Drive. This is a location that is
mutually supported by the city and school district and would support the city plans for economic
development. Funding for the land would be through the SAVE (one-cent sales tax) Fund where the
district has been saving with this plan in mind. The cost of purchasing the land would be fully funded by
the SAVE Fund. Therefore, no additional taxpayer money would be needed to purchase the land.

Regarding a future elementary school, the district learned from the high school project that remodeling is
nearly as expensive as building new. The long-term impact of remodeling a 1938 and 1961 building does
not provide the updated facilities necessary for today’s education. Older buildings have less efficient
utilities, limited technology access, and require on-going repairs.

Remodeling would also require temporary relocation, for at least one school year, of both Page and
Lincoln Elementary Schools. School building codes and accessibility to facilities would severely limit
options for relocation, and would likely cost more, give us less, and be incredibly disruptive to the district
over a three year period.

Our current district budget is sound and with the prior purchase of the land, effective budgeting and use of
the SAVE Fund, we do not anticipate a significant increase in the tax rate for a new elementary school.
Additionally, the community will have an opportunity to vote on any proposed bond issue impacting the
tax rate prior to the district beginning elementary construction. Purchasing the land now will ensure future
availability of the necessary acres for a new school within the city limits.

(Weekly Question Article courtesy BCSD)