Renovation and Referendum (or R&R)

Last night was the first of three community meetings to inform the community, and get input, about planned renovations in the Lebanon schools. This has been in the works for a couple years, and now we're really seeing the projects moving ahead ... but they can only be completed with community support.

Here are some FAQ which were distributed night, cut-and-pasted from the corporation web site:

Why is the district considering facility improvements?

Extensive renovation is needed at L.H.S. to incorporate instructional technology and to reduce energy costs. In an economic environment where school districts must find operational cost savings, the money saved on energy can be put to better use in staff and instruction. Classrooms at L.H.S. were designed before technology and collaborative projects became such an integral part of learning and when the average physical size of students was smaller. Many classrooms at L.H.S. feel cramped. All schools need increased security as well as improved heat and ventilation control, and three schools need specific improvements.

What is being considered?

The extent of the renovation plan will be decided after community input during a series of public meetings this spring. Improvements being considered are:
•Lebanon High School – Expand the flexibility to support a functioning modern school. Upgrade the building’s technology to create a 21st century learning environment, improve temperature controls and improve security systems.
•All schools – New security cameras linked into a centralized security system, centralized heating, upgraded ventilation and controls
•Central Elementary School – Improvements to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system
•Lebanon Middle School – Create a secure entry
•Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School – Replace roof

The state is currently cutting funding to all school districts. How will Lebanon Community School Corporation handle budget reductions? Wouldn’t it be better to spend this money on teachers rather than buildings?

L.C.S.C. must reduce its 2010 budget by $980,804 due to the recent cuts in state funding; administrators have met with staff and community members to discuss and define those reductions. The reductions being considered now are in addition to a number of reductions already made in 2009. There are two important things to remember:
1. operating costs and money to upgrade buildings come from different funds, building funds cannot be used to pay teachers or staff, and
2. improved energy efficiency will increase fund availability for classrooms

When would the proposed renovations begin? How long will the projects take?

If projects are approved by the board during the summer of 2010 and by voters in the November 2010 referendum, construction would begin in the spring of 2011; targeted completion would be the summer of 2013.

Why do we need to do this now?

The renovation of Lebanon High School is needed to meet the learning needs of 21st century students.

Improvements to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system at Central Elementary School will improve the school environment and increase energy efficiency.

The new roof at Hattie B. Stokes Elementary School will protect the investment in the building.

The secure entry at Lebanon Middle School and new security cameras for all schools linked into a centralized security system will improve student safety. L.C.S.C. is no longer a small school system out in the country. The school community has grown and is now adjacent to a major highway. It is important to have appropriate building security for the types of situations which may occur in schools anywhere.

How can I stay informed about the plans?

•Attend the remaining public meetings [both meetings are at 7 p.m. in LHS room B-14]:
April 27 – proposed solutions
May 4 – updated renovation plan and additional cost definition
These meetings are your opportunity to have input into the plan.
•Check the district Web site periodically at www.leb.k12.in.us
•Sign up for e-mail update

How much will the proposed projects cost?

The district is still defining individual project costs. The total scope of the projects will be determined after gathering public input during a series of public meetings this spring.

What could this mean to my taxes?

A total project cost has not been determined at this time. [There's a chart with potential tax impact for property of different values in the document, but I couldn't get it to cut-and-paste. It's available at the link above.] [Please note that the local tax rate for the Lebanon schools has gone down 36% since 2006, from $1.76 in 2006 to $1.12 in 2010.]

Extending the life of our school buildings, remaining competitive

The district wants to be fiscally responsible in extending the life of our buildings and preparing our buildings and programs to be competitive with surrounding school systems.

A project of this size would improve facilities at EVERY school in the district and extend the life of Lebanon High School for a cost that’s about a third of what it would cost to build a new high school.
Lebanon Community School Corporation has an unprecedented opportunity to take advantage of the high-tech jobs coming to the Duke/Anson development and other developments available along the Indianapolis-Lafayette corridor. The school corporation wants to be attractive both physically and educationally to the families filling these high-wage and high profile jobs – and to have these new families consider living in and educating their children in our community.

There will in all likelihood be a referendum--a ballot item--about this project on the November ballot. No final decisions have been made yet--the administration and board are gathering information from the public, and the board's vote to move ahead with the renovation and referendum process will probably happen in June. The referendum is required by Indiana law for any project over $20 million; this will be the first time for the Lebanon schools to go through this process. Look for more details to come.