By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton Public Schools Blue Ribbon committee met last week to begin work on a consolidated elementary school solution noting that this attempt failed last time, which was about five years ago.
Jose Archuleta who was on the committee for the last go round indicated that he felt the reasons for its failure last time were “1) In- house failure- Employees were afraid of losing jobs. Very important issue. 2) Retirees- perception of the looks of the schools. I went there and it was good enough for me, etc. 3) Fixed income- We need to let them know it will be more expensive later on. 4) Voter apathy-“ (From meeting minutes)
The three elementary schools in question are Work Project Administration (WPA) era buildings. Kearny was built in 1936, Longfellow in 1937 with Columbian being built in 1938. One issue the school district will have to deal with concerning buildings this old is that they are on the State and National Historic Registry.
The committee developed a list of items that the community would likely be concerned about:
1. Location
2. Potential Growth
3. Voter registration
4. Consolidate- Will employees lose jobs? Inform our employees and bus drivers.
5. Help fixed income community members understand the importance of the new school to our community. We have people who will be financially affected and how to get their support.
6. Cost to everyone-
7. Old buildings and the plan for them-
8. Technology-
9. Why consolidate- Old buildings are not a conducive atmosphere for education and
students; School environment needs to be fresh and new for our students for the next 50 years.
Among the issues that the committee sees to justify the project include fiscal responsibility in right sizing the school for the population, now and in the future. Educational suitability, providing a more suitable learning environment and sharing educational resources will be helped by consolidation into one school building. The age of the schools and building design affect student security and operational security. Buildings built over 70 years ago were not built for todays technology and need for security in the world we live in today.
Another concern is that if the schools make the number one position on the list of schools that need replaced and the bond issue fails again there is a state statute that could impose a tax on the school district. The list of schools or facilities assessment database is created by the Public School Capital Outlay Council (PSCOC). The following URL is how the council determines where a school ranks in the top 100 list of the 704 schools in the state. (http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/handouts/Overview_of_Ranking_Methodology.pdf)
The school district is looking to fund the new facility with a bond election. The proposed bond will be for $7.1 million and will be retired in 12 to 14 years. The tax impact from this bond will be about $109 per year on $100,000 of taxable value or $14.65 per month.
The current bond status for the school district is as follows.
- 1998 Series Bond Issued 5/1/1998 for 1.1 Million. Retired 10/1/2014
- 2008 Series Bond Issued 6/1/2008 for 2.4 Million to be retired 6/1/2021 ( 7 Years…1.735 mils still owed).
- Proposal for a 2014 Bond for 7.1 Million to be retired in approximately 12-14 years.
The committee reviewed a power point presentation, which included a proposed project schedule.
The committee will meet again on July 28, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Contact the Raton Public Schools Superintendent’s Office for more information. 575-445-9111.
Raton School District GO Financing Options (2 issues)x (2)
BOND FAQ’s
What are the advantages of consolidating: 1. Community and Economic Betterment/Growth. 2. Fiscal responsibility due to lower enrollments (we are currently wasting tax dollars). 3. Physical and Operational security for our children. 4. Education Suitability is markedly improved. 5. Value of personal property goes up.
Location: To be determined by the school board after reviewing the Feasibility Report. This will most likely happen at the August 11th board meeting. Because of Acreage requirements the two most likely locations are the RHS Campus and Longfellow.
Cost in taxes: Approximately $14.47 per 100K per month in property value. The 1998 series bond will be paid off in October, prior to receiving invoices for the new bond.
Disposition of the current buildings: The New Mexico Historic Preservation Office requires the following. 1. Document the need for demolition (PSFA and school Architects), 2. Show efforts of Adaptive Reuse (document attempts to sell structures to viable buyers). 3. Demonstrate the school’s efforts at consolidating into the buildings (cannot provide 140 students classroom space in a prudent and feasible manner). 4. Other “prudent and feasible alternatives”. NOTE: When all the criteria are met for one building it will also apply to the other two buildings.
Consolidation affecting employment issue: Enrollment not consolidation will impact staffing of administrators, teachers and teacher aides. Square footage will be reduced and this will impact custodial staff. Maintenance staff will not be affected because we are one person short already. Number of Bus Drivers will be affected by mileage and number of students. If this is reduced then drivers will be cut back.
Can we consolidate without new buildings: We need to find classroom space for 140 students if we remove one current building. It would require moving 5th grade into the RMS and increasing classroom sizes across the K-8 and reducing number of teachers. It would also leave an empty building that the district could not afford to demolish or maintain. The buildings are falling apart.
What are the savings to consolidating: 1. Over 100K in Operation and Maintenance per year. 2. Some mileage within transportation would be reduced. 3. Less square footage to clean. 4. Newer more efficient building will need less maintenance. 5. Energy efficiency. 6. Travel for music, art, PE and professional staff will be eliminated.
What is the total cost: 7.1 million for Raton and the Sate of NM (PSCOC) is being asked to assume the rest. The state is offering a 57/43% share in cost but we are asking a waiver of all costs over 7.1 million.
Potential Growth: If the community wishes to grow then quality schools are critical for people who move to Raton. Most lay people judge the quality of the school not only by academic standards but by the attention the community gives to school properties.
It is important to provide schools that provide classrooms that will prepare students for the 21st Century Career and Readiness Skills. It is crucial to build schools that protect our students from outside threats. It is important to build our schools that re the right size for our current enrollment.
