Stewardship for the 2002 & 2004 Bonds and Sinking Fund - April 2005
Dr. William C. Skilling, Superintendent
2002 Bond
In September of 2002 the Webberville School Board asked voters to approve a 7.85 million dollar bond. The purpose of the Bond was to build a new track, a new multipurpose room at the elementary, add a new computer lab at the elementary, build a new media center at the secondary building, renovate two classrooms for an agriculture science lab and workshop, renovate the old library into a new art classroom and graphic arts lab, add new classrooms for the middle school wing, and provide for updates in the heating system, floors, ceilings, etc. All of these projects have been brought to a successful conclusion. In addition, other projects were completed with the money that was saved on the 2002 bond. Three new boilers were installed at the secondary building, new drainage around the secondary building was installed, additional classrooms were renovated, and we rebuilt the entire district’s data, voice, video, audio networks. All of these projects were officially completed as of January and within budget.
Sinking Fund
In June of 2004 the voters approved a 1 mill sinking fund and an 8.5 million dollar bond. The sinking fund is being used to replace roofs, pay our loan on the land that was purchased several years ago, improve energy efficiency in our buildings, replace exterior windows on the secondary building, site development, and for ongoing building maintenance. During the first year with the sinking fund we have made our payments for the land purchase, replaced the roof on the 1912 section of the elementary school, and improved the drive between the elementary and secondary building. This summer we will be continuing the replacement of the remaining roofs on the elementary building. Also, we will be replacing 75% of the roofs on the secondary building. Finally, we may replace all the old exterior windows in the secondary building for more energy efficiency and to increase the natural daylight in the classrooms.
2004 Bond
The 2004 Bond projects are well underway. The site work and foundations have been laid for the new agriculture barn and greenhouse. The home bleachers for the track and football field are almost completed. The bleachers will be ready for use when we have our first home track meet. The bids have come in for the new Webberville Community Center. We have been truly blessed. The bids came in under budget. Therefore, we will be able to address some other needs as well. The construction of the Webberville Community Center will begin the second week of April. This new facility will house all of our indoor athletic competitions and practices, all of the indoor community recreation programs, the community fitness center and track, the community health care clinic, and we will have a spirit store. Starting with the 2006 – 2007 school year, we will begin the tradition of hosting a men’s and women’s basketball tournament, wrestling invitational, and a cheerleading invitational. We want to be able to showcase our facility and our student athletes. We are excited about the partnerships with the Webberville Community Recreation Association, Webberville Community Voices, and community leaders in providing community recreation and wellness activities.
2007 Bond
In 2004 we told the community that we would come back for phase II of our facilities bond improvement in 2006. We have decided however, to wait an additional year. The phase II bond, like phase I, will not increase taxes. The reason we are waiting a year is to demonstrate good stewardship of the bond that we already passed for the new Webberville Community Center and good stewardship of the sinking fund. We want community members and students seeing and experiencing the benefits of the 2004 bond for a year before we ask voters again to approve a bond issue. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning how we are using the current bond dollars or sinking fund dollars or if you have questions concerning the phase II bond. A complete description of what will be covered on the phase II bond is on our web site at www.webbervilleschools.org