Ed. Note: Here's a story on an important warrant article that we will be asked to vote on on March 10. It's a long overdue renovation of key elements of our high school with a price tag of nearly $5,000,000. But, because the state is committed--at least for this year--to funding 55% of it and because our school board has accumulated a sizable reserve fund that will make $900,000 available, the total amount of the proposed bond issue is just over $1,300,000. That's the amount--plus interest--that we are being asked to raise in new taxes over five years. I hope you will inform yourself on the details of the proposed work and commit to supporting it. Chas Street is a member of the School Board and has headed the committee that has investigated the needs, created the proposal, and is working to selling it to the voters. Obviously it's not a terrific time to be asking for a tax increase (if there is ever a good one!). But, if we want our children to be prepared for their 21st century futures, providing adequate facilities for their high school educations is something we must do. As you'll see, this is NOT a lavish plan to add unnecessary facilities. Rather, it is a modest, reasonable, and long-delayed set of upgrades to bring the building up to modern standards of educational efficiency and safety. Chuck Bingaman
Walpole's Street Pitches FM Bond Issue
by Chuck Bingaman, Contributing Writer
Walpole's Chas Street, having headed the Fall Mountain High School's renovation committee, is now seeking to sell a $1,300,000 bond issue to area voters in the March 10 town meeting balloting.
Fall Mountain High School, which opened in 1966, has had limited renovation since then, has never fully complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was passed later, and is covered with a flat, leaky roof whose remaining viability is very iffy.
"We know that times are difficult for many people in our district and the prospect of even a small bump-up in taxes is a real problem," Street conceded Thursday evening in a session for parents in Charlestown. "But it really IS time for these basic upgrades to our high school to serve and protect our kids...to see that their education continues to be valuable and relevant to their futures. And, during a recession, we stand to get real bargains in building materials and labor costs!"
Street also noted that he has the state's preliminary approval to fund its major share of the project but, if this plans fails to gain voter approval, future state budgets might not be so generous.
Actually, the full cost of proposed high school renovations Street's committee is pushing stands at $4,905,910. But the state of New Hampshire is committed to paying 55% of the cost, and the district plans to allocate $900,000 from reserve funds, leaving a taxpayer bond issue decision in March to $1,307,659 plus interest over five years.
Basic Renovations
Proposed renovations include upgrading the worn-out roof--a million-dollar item itself--upgrading science classrooms with essential safety and modern science equipment, improving vocational technology areas, and modernizing inadequate restrooms. In addition, the work would update the heating systems, ADA compliance, greenhouse/horticulture facilities, student locker rooms that some have called "primitive", and rain water collection equipment. Also included in the proposal is a new covered entry to the main entrance, although Street noted that it might be bid separately and even built by students with professional supervision.
The roof, said Street, is more than 20 years old now and has limited insulation in it. As planned by Sheerr McCrystal Palson Architects of New London, NH, the new roof would be installed over the existing flat roof, have three inches of added insulation, and include pitching so water can be routed to drains.
In the vocational tech area, the woodshop would see new safety features to meet safety codes, a new dust collection system, dust-resistent lighting and modern fire alarm systems. It would also include a new roof-top HVAC system, new wood storage space and an overhead door for use with larger projects. The metal shop would also receive required upgraded safety features, an overhead door to allow for large machine movement, updated welding equipment, student lockers and new windows.
Science labs and classrooms would get single location emergency shut-offs for gas, power and water, modern lighting and ventilation equipment, and updated power feeds and GFCI power outlets.
The plan would also add new, ADA accessible locker rooms with more space, modern showers, lockers and desperately needed storage space for sports equipment.
"There's nothing in this proposal that's 'fluff'," Street emphasized. "It all goes toward making the school safer and the education we offer more effective and relevant to what our kids will need in the 21st century."
Gauging the Tax Bills
Assuming a 3.5% interest rate now available, the planning committee calculates that added annual tax bills in the district--for $100,000 of assessed valuation--would, for five years, approximate the following at current rates: Acworth $103, Alstead $161, Charlestown $270, Langdon $151, and Walpole $121. "While no one is eager to pay more in taxes," Street admitted Thursday evening, "this is really a small increase for the value we get...and it is for our most important priorities...the public good and our children's futures!"
Why Timing is Important
"It also makes real financial sense for all of us in the area," Street continued. "It enhances the value of our property because the quality of our schools is one of the first things people look at when they consider moving into an area and buying a house. An up-to-date high school builds value, and an obsolete, inadequate school diminishes it!"
Because the school district wide vote is to authorize a loan, it will require a 60% or better majority of the total votes cast in Walpole, Langdon, Alstead, Charlestown and Acworth, the five towns comprising SAU60's attendance areas.
"Right now," Street said, "we can get our loan for as low as 3.5% and we may even be able to get construction bids even lower than we have projected. So, despite the economic stress that we all have felt, this is an urgently needed project, and it's unlikely that we will be able to finance it as favorably in the future as we can now!"
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