Education and opportunity are two of the most important gifts that a community can give its young people. Communities that support quality schools, like Durham, Lee, and Madbury, are vibrant, strong and thriving. Property values in the district reflect the quality and reputation of our schools. Paying for the renovation of our high school will not be easy. But we cannot afford to risk our children's and our communities' futures.
Oyster River High School faces two serious problems: the physical condition of the facility and overcrowding. The NEASC, which accredits schools, has placed the school on warning status because of the school's poor facilities. The school's infrastructure, including its heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, is old and functioning poorly. There is no ventilation or sprinkler system. There are not enough lavatories, showers, or lockers. There are asbestos floor and ceiling tiles.
The current capacity of the high school is 604 students. The current enrollment is 658. Next year it will be 738. The Long Range Planning Committee predicts an enrollment of 769 by the year 2002.
The current facility is inadequate to meet basic accreditation standards. It is far too small to educate the number of students currently enrolled, much less the progressively increasing student population. If the problems are left uncorrected, loss of accreditation could result. This will hurt our students' ability to get into college and will have far-reaching consequences throughout the community, including a fall in property values.
After years of study, the school board, in conjunction with the contracted architectural and construction firms, has proposed two separate articles, which will be brought to a public vote on March 10. This plan is the most cost-effective way of dealing with the school's critical problems.
The first article involves a major renovation of the existing structure, including new heating, electrical, and ventilation systems, and a new, three-story classroom addition. The finished facility, completely handicapped accessible, will house 14 additional classrooms including 9 new science labs, and modern computer facilities, expanded library and media center, new industrial technology lab, improved performing arts classroom, new gymnasium, and enlarged cafeteria. The second article provides for a new auditorium with 500 built-in seats and a full-size, accessible stage.
The completed school will meet all accreditation standards and will provide a healthy, attractive learning environment for 764 students. The new classroom addition has been designed so that if the need arises, additional classrooms can be easily added.
None of our schools has an adequate performance space, nor is there any available space within the three towns, including UNH. The arts are vital to a good education. Training in the arts is an integral part of students academic education and offers them enrichment. For example, studies have shown that musical training facilitates spacial reasoning in mathematics. A good performance hall should not be perceived as a luxury. Both performing arts and sports promote physical and mental development, self-confidence, teamwork, and self-discipline. Support of both bonds will reflect our support of and commitment to the arts and athletics.
The proposed high school renovations and additions will appear as two separate warrant articles. Article 3 requests $12,750.000 for new construction, renovation, and equipping of the high school plus an additional $195,218 for payment of first year's interest on the bond. Article 4 requests $2,800,000 for the construction of the new auditorium, plus $78,677 for the first year's interest. The total cost of the project is $15,550,000 plus $273,895 in first year interest for a total of $15,823,895.
If the bonds are passed under current law, the State will pay 45% of the bond principle - i.e., $6,997,500. Unlike your home mortgage, the interest payments on the bond go down annually as the principle is paid off, so the tax burden will also go down.
Compare this to an estimated $21 million cost for building a new school. The savings comes from not having to purchase and develop a new site and from making use of the shell of the existing facility. The bonds are clearly the frugal alternative.
The following table shows estimates of the tax increase from the bonds for a $100,000 home and compares this to the estimated cost of building a new high school from scratch.
| Bond Articles 3 & 4 | All New Construction |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | 1998 | $43 | $66 |
| 1999 | $203 | $275 | |
| 2000 | $195* | $265* | |
| Lee | 1998 | $49 | $76 |
| 1999 | $230 | $310 | |
| 2000 | $221* | $300* | |
| Madbury | 1998 | $54 | $83 |
| 1999 | $254 | $345 | |
| 2000 | $240* | $325* |
It is critical that we pass the High School bonds this year. The problems at the High School will only get worse and cost more to fix if we wait even one year. There are now 4 modular classrooms. Next year there will be 8. Modular classrooms do nothing to correct the building's many problems. ORHS has now been warned about its accreditation. We will move closer to losing accreditation if the bonds fail.
Waiting even a year raises the cost of the project. Bond rates are now 4.7%. Construction costs will rise. The guaranteed maximum price will expire if the bonds fail. Changes in state funding may jeopardize the 45% state aid that offsets interest. If we don't pass the bonds this year, we will pay more for less in the future.
These bonds need a 2/3 majority. Every vote counts! The bond to build Moharimet only passed by 4 votes and the bonds to renovate the Middle School only passed by 7 votes. Six other bonds to address overcrowding have failed with over 59% of the vote. To support our students and community, we must vote this year to pass these bonds!
PASS is a group of Parents and School Supporters working to pass the high school bonds
For more information, please call:
PASS
P.O. Box 408
Durham, NH 03824
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