School District

District Enrollment:

Similar to many school districts in the state, ours has experienced declining enrollment. Economic development, affordable housing, and possible consolidation are all items that may alter the number of students in our district. However, whether we increase, decrease, or hold steady, we still need to meet the needs of today’s students with a safe, energy efficient, and up-to-date building. Our current building has served the district to the best of its capability.

Maintenance of Current Facilities and Planned Improvements:

The district has always maintained its buildings. Current and past school boards made decisions about improvements based upon the information and funding available at the time. Other districts are also required to make decisions regarding maintaining and upgrading their facilities. That’s why we are currently seeing bond issues and/or major building projects in nearby districts. Our district currently has PPEL and SILO funds available for facility maintenance and improvements. Unfortunately, these funding sources are relatively new. In our district, voters approved both the PPEL and SILO in the fall of 2002 and were effective on July 1, 2003. The PPEL is a property tax, while the SILO is a state-wide sales tax. The Board of Education also has a board approved PPEL of 33 cents per $1,000. Prior to the PPEL and SILO, the district had to rely on a schoolhouse levy limited to 67 cents per $1,000.

District School Closings:

South Elementary
On behalf of the Rowley City Council, the acting Mayor presented a resolution to the Board of Education requesting the district to raze the building no later than December 31, 2006. The Board of Education chose to follow this request and approved awarding a bid to D. W. Zinser Company, Inc., at the June 8, 2006, special session.

Former East Elementary
The district closed the building formerly known as East Elementary as a cost savings measure to improve the budget. In September 2000, the district’s certified enrollment was 1,615.7. By October 2010, our enrollment had declined to 1,369. Revenue to school districts is based on the number of students, so fewer students mean less money to our district. On October 8, 2009, Governor Culver announced a 10 percent across-the-board cut to state general fund appropriations effective immediately. It became critical for the district to make significant cuts. The district chose to close a building rather than eliminate programs. Making these difficult reductions should help the district’s General Fund, which is used to pay things such as employee salaries and benefits, supplies, utilities, and fuel. Although many districts across the state are facing the same scenario, communities are choosing to improve their out-dated facilities.

Special Election Cost:

Each special election costs approximately $6,000. As per state law, there are only four dates available each year. The September 13, 2011 date will be used for both the bond referendum AND the election of school board members to reduce the cost of a special election.

District’s Purchase of the 92 Acres:

The Board of Education purchased the land outright to solve the question of where a new building should be located. The Board was familiar with the space limitations at other building sites – the former East Elementary with its limited parking area and traffic congestion during drop off and pick up times; the current high school with the need for more parking space and limited ability to expand without condemning family homes.

Other sites were considered, but board members selected this particular location because of:

• Its vicinity to the Middle School (now West), West Elementary (now East), and the Administration Office. The sprawling campus concept allows the district to share some parking, athletic facilities, and possibly teachers and/or administrators. In addition, administrators, teachers, and parents could save time and money with several district buildings located in the same area.
• Easy accessibility off of Highway 20.
• Safer traffic location. Heavy traffic during peak times (before school, after school and during events) will not be driving through residential neighborhoods.
• Availability to city services.

The Board of Education discussed the purchase eight times over a period of ten months, all published in board minutes. The purchase satisfies the District’s needs well into the future.