Q: Why did the school purchase land from the county before a vote was taken by the public?
A: By law, in order to propose a plan for new construction, the land that any proposed new construction would go on must be owned by the school district.
Q: What happens to the purchased land if a referendum vote fails?
A: A clause was written into the purchase agreement with the county that if a vote is not successful, the district may return the land to the county with full reimbursement or it may keep the land for future use.
Q: Why don’t we just build a new K-12 building instead of adding this on to an “old” building?
A: The district has had the buildings evaluated and engineers have determined that all of the facilities are sound. Many updates and upgrades have happened over the years and continue to happen in order to maintain the life of the buildings.
Q: How old are our current facilities?
A: The original building at Central was built in 1924. Several additions were added to the building in 1950, 1956, 1963, and 1972. West Elementary School was built in 1968. The proposed new addition would be added to the 1956 and 1972 additions.
Q: How much would it cost for a new school?
A: To replace just the high school building with the same square footage amount of 160,660 square feet at an average cost of $175 per square foot, the materials cost would be $28,115,500. With an additional 25% estimated amount of $7,028,875 for fees, construction, contingency, and other costs, the total estimated amount to replace just the high school building would be $35,144,375.
Adding the square footage of West Elementary (36,170 SF) if a Pre K-12 building were built, this would add an estimated cost of $7,912,187 for a total estimated amount for a new Pre K-12 building of $43,056,562.
Q: How much land would be needed for a new school?
A: According to the MN Department of Education guidelines for construction of new buildings, the amount of land needed for a K-12 building or small high school would be between 35-40 acres. Currently, Central High School sits upon 3.75 acres and West Elementary land (including the athletic complex) sits upon 22 acres.
Q: Why didn’t we keep the gym in Lake Wilson?
A: The decision to sell the Lake Wilson school (classrooms and gymnasium) was made based upon the cost of heating the building as it sat empty, the upgrades that needed to happen to the facility, and also the safety factor of students driving to practice in Lake Wilson.
Q: Will there be bleachers in the new facility?
A: Yes, portable bleachers that will seat approximately 150 people are planned for the new facility. This allows for moving the seating where needed. Folding chairs can also be brought in for additional seating when needed.
Q: What is planned to be remodeled?
A: The remodeling plans include:
Q: Why will the vote take place on August 8th?
A: By holding an August vote, the district would be able to open the new facility in December of 2018. The best time to go out for bids for best pricing is in January and If the district waited until November for a vote, it would push the bidding and opening back at least four months.
Q: What are school bonds?
A: District voters can vote to authorize the district to borrow money through selling bonds for building projects and repairs which would be paid back using revenue from taxpayers. The proposed bonding for this referendum would be a 20 year bond.
Q: How much debt does the district currently have?
A: The district currently is in a very unique situation compared to other districts in the state by have zero debt. The last building bond for MCC was passed in 1997 for building upgrades and technology in the amount of $1.875 million. This was paid off in 2007.
Q: Will Fulda High School be consolidating with MCC in sports?
A: MCC combines with Fulda in Cross Country and Wrestling only. There has never been interest or a need from Fulda in combining in "gym" sports like volleyball, girls basketball, or boys basketball.
Q: When does the current operating referendum end?
A: The current operating referendum ends in 2020. There are no plans to ask for an increase amount in operating referendum funds but to continue the same amount. This means that there would not be an anticipated increase in taxes for a renewal of an operating referendum.
Q: What is the difference between an operating levy and a building bond referendum?
A: While both are considered levies on your property tax statement, the quick answer is that levies are for learning and bonds are for building.
Operating levies are the funds that the district uses to run and operate its schools. It provides money above the state allocation to be used for day-to-day expenses such as staff costs, supplies, heating expenses, transportation and programs.
Bond levies are the funds the district uses for new construction, updates or additions to school buildings. These funds cannot be used to run schools or pay teacher salaries.
Q: Why do we need more space when the amount of space worked for our generation and we had more kids per class?
A: There are many more activities and opportunities for students now than in the past. Girls sports were not offered until the 1970's and youth and community education opportunities were not a part of the past. All of these activities are an important part of the education process. Research shows that students who are involved in extra-curricular activities on average have higher grade point averages, ACT scores, state assessment scores, and miss fewer days of school. All of the opportunities that are available provide a positive impact on our students. More space will also provide more opportunities for additional activities.
Q: What will make this project a community center?
A: In a general sense, the new space would be available for community use as availability permits. Specifically, there will be a three-lane walking track that community members can use. The space could also be available to rent/use for receptions, community events, meetings, non-school related clubs, etc.
A: By law, in order to propose a plan for new construction, the land that any proposed new construction would go on must be owned by the school district.
Q: What happens to the purchased land if a referendum vote fails?
A: A clause was written into the purchase agreement with the county that if a vote is not successful, the district may return the land to the county with full reimbursement or it may keep the land for future use.
Q: Why don’t we just build a new K-12 building instead of adding this on to an “old” building?
A: The district has had the buildings evaluated and engineers have determined that all of the facilities are sound. Many updates and upgrades have happened over the years and continue to happen in order to maintain the life of the buildings.
Q: How old are our current facilities?
A: The original building at Central was built in 1924. Several additions were added to the building in 1950, 1956, 1963, and 1972. West Elementary School was built in 1968. The proposed new addition would be added to the 1956 and 1972 additions.
Q: How much would it cost for a new school?
A: To replace just the high school building with the same square footage amount of 160,660 square feet at an average cost of $175 per square foot, the materials cost would be $28,115,500. With an additional 25% estimated amount of $7,028,875 for fees, construction, contingency, and other costs, the total estimated amount to replace just the high school building would be $35,144,375.
Adding the square footage of West Elementary (36,170 SF) if a Pre K-12 building were built, this would add an estimated cost of $7,912,187 for a total estimated amount for a new Pre K-12 building of $43,056,562.
Q: How much land would be needed for a new school?
A: According to the MN Department of Education guidelines for construction of new buildings, the amount of land needed for a K-12 building or small high school would be between 35-40 acres. Currently, Central High School sits upon 3.75 acres and West Elementary land (including the athletic complex) sits upon 22 acres.
Q: Why didn’t we keep the gym in Lake Wilson?
A: The decision to sell the Lake Wilson school (classrooms and gymnasium) was made based upon the cost of heating the building as it sat empty, the upgrades that needed to happen to the facility, and also the safety factor of students driving to practice in Lake Wilson.
Q: Will there be bleachers in the new facility?
A: Yes, portable bleachers that will seat approximately 150 people are planned for the new facility. This allows for moving the seating where needed. Folding chairs can also be brought in for additional seating when needed.
Q: What is planned to be remodeled?
A: The remodeling plans include:
- The existing entrance to the gym (removing the current concession stands and opening up the lobby).
- The existing wrestling room/all-purpose room (adding a new concession stand along with a new men’s and women’s restroom). This area will become a commons area between the two gyms.
- Remodel metal shop to move overhead door to east side and add a new vent system for welding hoods.
Q: Why will the vote take place on August 8th?
A: By holding an August vote, the district would be able to open the new facility in December of 2018. The best time to go out for bids for best pricing is in January and If the district waited until November for a vote, it would push the bidding and opening back at least four months.
Q: What are school bonds?
A: District voters can vote to authorize the district to borrow money through selling bonds for building projects and repairs which would be paid back using revenue from taxpayers. The proposed bonding for this referendum would be a 20 year bond.
Q: How much debt does the district currently have?
A: The district currently is in a very unique situation compared to other districts in the state by have zero debt. The last building bond for MCC was passed in 1997 for building upgrades and technology in the amount of $1.875 million. This was paid off in 2007.
Q: Will Fulda High School be consolidating with MCC in sports?
A: MCC combines with Fulda in Cross Country and Wrestling only. There has never been interest or a need from Fulda in combining in "gym" sports like volleyball, girls basketball, or boys basketball.
Q: When does the current operating referendum end?
A: The current operating referendum ends in 2020. There are no plans to ask for an increase amount in operating referendum funds but to continue the same amount. This means that there would not be an anticipated increase in taxes for a renewal of an operating referendum.
Q: What is the difference between an operating levy and a building bond referendum?
A: While both are considered levies on your property tax statement, the quick answer is that levies are for learning and bonds are for building.
Operating levies are the funds that the district uses to run and operate its schools. It provides money above the state allocation to be used for day-to-day expenses such as staff costs, supplies, heating expenses, transportation and programs.
Bond levies are the funds the district uses for new construction, updates or additions to school buildings. These funds cannot be used to run schools or pay teacher salaries.
Q: Why do we need more space when the amount of space worked for our generation and we had more kids per class?
A: There are many more activities and opportunities for students now than in the past. Girls sports were not offered until the 1970's and youth and community education opportunities were not a part of the past. All of these activities are an important part of the education process. Research shows that students who are involved in extra-curricular activities on average have higher grade point averages, ACT scores, state assessment scores, and miss fewer days of school. All of the opportunities that are available provide a positive impact on our students. More space will also provide more opportunities for additional activities.
Q: What will make this project a community center?
A: In a general sense, the new space would be available for community use as availability permits. Specifically, there will be a three-lane walking track that community members can use. The space could also be available to rent/use for receptions, community events, meetings, non-school related clubs, etc.