Frequently Asked Questions regarding the PC referendum Why is the district going for referendum so soon after the Febru- ary Special Election? People have questioned why the district is going to referendum so soon after the last referendum failed. The answer is that the District has exhausted all other options without having a much greater impact to both teaching and learning, and taxpayers. From the beginning the district stated that most of the referendum was critical and the reason for multiple questions was to give voters/taxpayers a greater say in the "size of the ask." However, saying no to everything was something the district's school board felt was not workable without an even greater impact to both the school's financial health and the learning environment. The district decided to move quickly because the design team can still complete the documents for construction before January 1st 2025 which means that the construction schedule for the Ele- mentary and High School projects would not be impacted by: the continued financial challenges of inflation, the ongoing costs of needed maintenance projects, and the impacts to teaching and learning during construction. To wait, would cost taxpayers an addi tional 4% to 6% due to inflation and projected financing and other costs. That is over $1,500,000 for the same projects - and we be- lieve after 6 years of study with 3 different design and construction firms the financial ask cannot get smaller. Why does the ALC need to relocate? The Area Learning Center: the school board is in the process of looking at options because of the lease being up at the Civic Center. Those options include: Extending the lease at the civic center but this option will im pact the access and use of space. The continued use of space is not intended for educational function and uses. The district would hope this would be a short-term solution because of the importance of this program to the district and to resident families. Finding space within the high school is another option: howev er this building is already short on space, which will lead to more challenges at the high school site. Some of these challenges include requiring a separate entry and supporting amenities, like restrooms, which limit the possible locations suitable for the ALC Program. There are funding options which could allow the district to con struct a new building, but these options would be smaller, with less durable materials and systems, and would increase the total number of square feet district wide we would need to maintain. Each of the options have their pros and cons, but the Car/Truck City site offers taxpayers the best value and provides the students a facility designed for their specific needs, within an existing structure the district currently owns and should be maintaining. All of this, at a cost similar or less than the costs of other options considered. How has the District been budgeting for facility maintenance? The Long-Term Facility Maintenance issues: The district is not like other entities such as cities and counties which levy taxes without asking voters. Each dollar the district spends comes from the State of Minnesota in predetermined accounts which specify how the dollars can be spent. If the building maintenance needs are greater than the District budget, the district must ask voters for financial help. This leads to a referendum. The district currently can spend about $600,000 annually for building maintenance and the challenge has been that many of the projects and maintenance needs now exceed this value. The impacts and the costs to taxpayers are: Each time roofing or siding needs replacement, the district must break the project into sections which can be done as dollars can be committed. This adds to the cost and time of the project's comple- tion and to the damages inside the building when things get wet. Because of the need to keep the building watertight, many other projects are not getting done and we are limping along. The electri cal distribution system is at an age where parts are hard to find and, in some cases, we are purchasing refurbished parts online. At the elementary school, the mechanical systems major com ponents are wearing out and emit a constant noise which is over 50% louder than recommended standards while also not providing adequate indoor air. The settling of the 1962 addition at the elementary school is continually impacting our maintenance budget with repairs to walls, plumbing systems, leaky walls/tunnels, and maintaining windows and doors. The longer the wait, the more expensive the projects cost and the fewer options the district will have. The School Board is concerned the costs of maintenance will continue impacting the budget, quality and future of Pine City School District What will happen to the Elementary and High School Buildings if the referendum fails? The Elementary School: there are three challenges which are plagu- ing the elementary school: the structural settling of the 1962 addi- tion, the aging plumbing, electric and HVAC systems and the safety of children on site including in and around traffic and in the building. Are there ways to construct an addition more cheaply, the challeng es are many given the locations of poor soils, the land available, and the impacts to the existing building and programs. But, if the refer- endum fails the district will need to consider the biggest challenges which include: Finding a way to remove the worst of the 1962 addition which is 10 classrooms and associated restrooms, and then replacing them with portables or some other option. If other sites are considered to move 10 classrooms of students to, there are the increased costs of transportation, meals, staff traveling between facilities and many others There will need to be repairs and alterations made to the kitchen and cafeteria to resolve a number of settling challenges. Building systems will continue to work as they are but repair costs are going up with age and there are a number of challenges with providing power to technology and other modern systems. These will continue to impact teaching/learning and other building needs. Nothing will be done to address the safety and security within the building. The current system is not working. When someone gains entry into the building, they have full access before ever check- ing in at the main office. This is a huge concern and liability. While nothing is 100% safe, our students, staff, and parents need better. The High School: the impacts will continue with lack of needed space for special education and student support programs, lack of a safe and secure entry and the challenges of a small kitchen and cafe- teria, which includes insufficient seating for students and congestion during lunch periods. For more details regarding the referendum please log on to: https://www.isd578.org/page/referendum Join the school board for an Open House Facility Tour at the Ele- mentary April 26th from noon-4pm To set up a building tour please contact Superintendent Stolp or Board Chair James Foster at 320-629-4000 PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE www.ISD578.ORG Frequently Asked Questions regarding the PC referendum Why is the district going for referendum so soon after the Febru- ary Special Election ? People have questioned why the district is going to referendum so soon after the last referendum failed . The answer is that the District has exhausted all other options without having a much greater impact to both teaching and learning , and taxpayers . From the beginning the district stated that most of the referendum was critical and the reason for multiple questions was to give voters / taxpayers a greater say in the " size of the ask . " However , saying no to everything was something the district's school board felt was not workable without an even greater impact to both the school's financial health and the learning environment . The district decided to move quickly because the design team can still complete the documents for construction before January 1st 2025 which means that the construction schedule for the Ele- mentary and High School projects would not be impacted by : the continued financial challenges of inflation , the ongoing costs of needed maintenance projects , and the impacts to teaching and learning during construction . To wait , would cost taxpayers an addi tional 4 % to 6 % due to inflation and projected financing and other costs . That is over $ 1,500,000 for the same projects - and we be- lieve after 6 years of study with 3 different design and construction firms the financial ask cannot get smaller . Why does the ALC need to relocate ? The Area Learning Center : the school board is in the process of looking at options because of the lease being up at the Civic Center . Those options include : Extending the lease at the civic center but this option will im pact the access and use of space . The continued use of space is not intended for educational function and uses . The district would hope this would be a short - term solution because of the importance of this program to the district and to resident families . Finding space within the high school is another option : howev er this building is already short on space , which will lead to more challenges at the high school site . Some of these challenges include requiring a separate entry and supporting amenities , like restrooms , which limit the possible locations suitable for the ALC Program . There are funding options which could allow the district to con struct a new building , but these options would be smaller , with less durable materials and systems , and would increase the total number of square feet district wide we would need to maintain . Each of the options have their pros and cons , but the Car / Truck City site offers taxpayers the best value and provides the students a facility designed for their specific needs , within an existing structure the district currently owns and should be maintaining . All of this , at a cost similar or less than the costs of other options considered . How has the District been budgeting for facility maintenance ? The Long - Term Facility Maintenance issues : The district is not like other entities such as cities and counties which levy taxes without asking voters . Each dollar the district spends comes from the State of Minnesota in predetermined accounts which specify how the dollars can be spent . If the building maintenance needs are greater than the District budget , the district must ask voters for financial help . This leads to a referendum . The district currently can spend about $ 600,000 annually for building maintenance and the challenge has been that many of the projects and maintenance needs now exceed this value . The impacts and the costs to taxpayers are : Each time roofing or siding needs replacement , the district must break the project into sections which can be done as dollars can be committed . This adds to the cost and time of the project's comple- tion and to the damages inside the building when things get wet . Because of the need to keep the building watertight , many other projects are not getting done and we are limping along . The electri cal distribution system is at an age where parts are hard to find and , in some cases , we are purchasing refurbished parts online . At the elementary school , the mechanical systems major com ponents are wearing out and emit a constant noise which is over 50 % louder than recommended standards while also not providing adequate indoor air . The settling of the 1962 addition at the elementary school is continually impacting our maintenance budget with repairs to walls , plumbing systems , leaky walls / tunnels , and maintaining windows and doors . The longer the wait , the more expensive the projects cost and the fewer options the district will have . The School Board is concerned the costs of maintenance will continue impacting the budget , quality and future of Pine City School District What will happen to the Elementary and High School Buildings if the referendum fails ? The Elementary School : there are three challenges which are plagu- ing the elementary school : the structural settling of the 1962 addi- tion , the aging plumbing , electric and HVAC systems and the safety of children on site including in and around traffic and in the building . Are there ways to construct an addition more cheaply , the challeng es are many given the locations of poor soils , the land available , and the impacts to the existing building and programs . But , if the refer- endum fails the district will need to consider the biggest challenges which include : Finding a way to remove the worst of the 1962 addition which is 10 classrooms and associated restrooms , and then replacing them with portables or some other option . If other sites are considered to move 10 classrooms of students to , there are the increased costs of transportation , meals , staff traveling between facilities and many others There will need to be repairs and alterations made to the kitchen and cafeteria to resolve a number of settling challenges . Building systems will continue to work as they are but repair costs are going up with age and there are a number of challenges with providing power to technology and other modern systems . These will continue to impact teaching / learning and other building needs . Nothing will be done to address the safety and security within the building . The current system is not working . When someone gains entry into the building , they have full access before ever check- ing in at the main office . This is a huge concern and liability . While nothing is 100 % safe , our students , staff , and parents need better . The High School : the impacts will continue with lack of needed space for special education and student support programs , lack of a safe and secure entry and the challenges of a small kitchen and cafe- teria , which includes insufficient seating for students and congestion during lunch periods . For more details regarding the referendum please log on to : https://www.isd578.org/page/referendum Join the school board for an Open House Facility Tour at the Ele- mentary April 26th from noon - 4pm To set up a building tour please contact Superintendent Stolp or Board Chair James Foster at 320-629-4000 PINE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE www.ISD578.ORG