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ICESR 09-28-2004 INFORMATIONJust the Facts! Information about the Elk River Area School District's Referendum Election, Tuesday, November 2, 2004 What is the proposal? • Question #1-Operating levy for $2.3 million or $250 per pupil unit. Funds will be used to hire staff to open new schools proposed in bond referendum, maintain class sizes and minimize future budget reductions. • Question #2 -Bond referendum for $87 million. The passage of question #2 is contingent on the passage of question #1. Funds will be used for the following construction and renovation projects: ^ Construct a new elementary school for the Otsego/St. Michael area -- $22.95 million ^ Construct the planned third classroom wing at Rogers High School -- $8 million ^ Construct the planned third classroom wing at Westwood Elementary School -- $4.35 million ^ Renovate existing gym space at Elk River High School into 12 classrooms, and construct a new and larger gym activity center -- $13 million ^ Construct a fine arts auditorium at Rogers High School -- $9.4 million ^ Construct a swimming pooUice sheet combination facility at Rogers High School -- $15.6 million ^ Purchase land for future schools and complete renovation projects at existing facilities -- $13.7 million Why is the operating levy needed? • The amount of funding that the district receives from the state has remained the same for the past three years. • There is no indication that funding levels will increase for the next two years. • The district is facing a budget shortfall for the 2005-2006 school year of about $4 million. Why is the bond referendum needed? • Enrollment in the district has increased from 7,500 students in 1995-1996 to 10,870 students this fall. • Enrollment is expected to continue to grow to more than 15,000 students in the next 8-10 years. • New schools, classroom additions and other facilities are needed to keep up with the rapid increase in enrollment. Are the bond referendum projects "needs" or "wants"? • Each project included in the bond referendum addresses a different need in the district. • The new school and the classroom additions will provide additional space as our enrollment increases. • The other facilities included in the referendum address the need for additional activity space. • As enrollment grows, there is more demand for athletic and fine arts facilities. Without the appropriate facilities, we would not be able to offer students equitable opportunities throughout the district. What will the referendum cost taxpayers? • For the operating levy in question #1 (for general operations of the district), the owners of a house valued at $200,000 will see a tax increase of about $9.75 per month or $117 for the first year. • For the bond referendum in question #2 (for facility construction and renovation), the tax increase on a $200,000 home will be about $1.37 per month or about $16.44 for the first year. • If both questions are approved, the total tax increase on a $200,000 house will be $11.12 per month or $133.44 per year. • The cost of taxpayers should decrease each year thereafter. What if the referendum questions are not approved? The board will consider the following actions if question #1 is not approved: • Eliminate teaching, administrative and other positions throughout the district, which may result in larger class sizes, reduction or .elimination of programs, closing of schools and boundary changes • Increase fees for participation in activities • Decrease number of athletic activities offered at the high school level • Decrease elective courses at high school level • Reduce or eliminate program specialists (art, music, etc.) at the elementary level • Further reduce school supply budgets The board will consider the following actions if question #2 is not approved: • Lease additional portable classrooms to accommodate increase in student enrollment • Shift attendance boundaries to balance enrollment For more information about the district's referendum proposals, go to the district's web site at ~ ~~ ~°.°P~rwRti%er.~~~;~.~~n~e}~~, email Bob Noyed, assistant to the superintendent for community relations, h~~~-~~~5~:~a'14~?~~er9i~'~2,~aa~.~s, or call the community relations office at 763-241-3419. Prepared and paid for by Elk River Area School District, 327 King Avenue, Ell: River MN 55330. This publication is not circulated on behalf of any candidate or ballot question. 2004: Condenser For Olympic Ice Plant: Estimated cost: $30,500 The Condenser is part of the ice plant that cools high-pressure gas into ahigh-pressure liquid. This liquid is then used in the pumping process that carries the refrigerant out to the rink. The gas is cooled by fans blowing air across the tubes or by a water pump that pumps water over the pipes to cool the high-pressure gas. Sometimes the fans and the water will work together to condense the high-pressure gas into a liquid. When we purchased the ice plant, the Condenser had heavy amounts of scale around the cooling pipes, caused from non-treated water being used to cool the pipes. Soon after the Arena was in operation, we treated the condenser to help reduce the amount of scale built up on the pipes. Over the last few years we have intensified the treatment with some success, however we have still been experiencing problems associated with the condenser being neglected when it was new. VJlien the outside temperature is below freezing the condenser should be able to cool the high-pressure gas with just the fans. However the condenser for the Olympic rink sometimes uses water even when the temperature is below freezing, which then freezes the belts on the pulleys. The motor for the fans then tries to turn the belts; the belts break because they are frozen to the pulleys, causing the high-pressure gas to rise to a pressure that then shuts down the compressors. To bring the ice plant back on line, the ice in the fans needs to be thawed out with a large torch so that the fans will tLU-n again and new belts have to be installed. The belts range from $30.00 - $45.00 a belt, and three belts are needed to operate the fans. So fax this season we have had to go through this process four times. 2004: Back Pressure Re6ulator: Estimated cost: $3 300 This project was scheduled for 2000, however due to the heat exchanger in the furnace going out to the Barn, the money was used on that project. The unit would allow more heat to enter the heat reclaimer on the compressors. This would be beneficial to melting the snow in the ice pit and to heat the sub floor in the rink. 2004: Re lace /Rebuild Ice Plants: Estimated cost: $3 500 There are several items on both ice plants that will need attention within the next few years. This is an opportune time to give attention to these items, as Mark from Commercial Refrigeration will be here to install the new floor in the Barn. Usually we would have to hire someone to complete some of the repair work. Since Mark will already be here, we will be able to make these repairs with Mark's assistance. 2005• Rebuild the Barns roof: Estimated cost $80,000 - $100,000 The Barn's roof was a few years old when put on some time in the early 70's and is well past its life expectancy. This winter during some of the warmer weather there were several leaks on the south end effecting Elk River Youth KOCk2y' S Off1Ce aS Well itS the Arena Manager's Office. 2005• Water softener: Estimated cost: $8,500 Adding a water softener to the Arena's water supply should pay for itself within the first couple of years. The softener would eliminate a lot of minerals in the water so that we could reduce the temperature of the water we use to make ice. Since it would eliminate a lot of the minerals in the water, it would reduce the amount of chemicals that would be needed to treat the condensers. 2005: Move the pole for the walking track• Estimated Cost: $12,500 By the Zamboni gate in the Olympic rink where the goalie nets are brought in and out of the rink, a pole is set halfway between the wall and the boards. The goalie nets have to be jockeyed around this pole when placing them on and off the rink. To do this most of the employees go inside the nets to lift them with their back. If the pole was moved a modified two-wheeler could be used to put the nets on and off the rink with minimum lifting from the employees. I will be working with Dave from M.M.U.A. to see if we will. be able to get any grant money through the state. 2006• Replace Co Ray Vac pipes in the Barn estimated cost: $17,000 The Co Ray Vac system that is used in the Barn to heat the bleacher area is rusting and needs to be replaced. The system is a radiant system that is a series of heaters that are connected by a tube. This tube then carriers heat above the bleachers that radiates down on the bleachers. Over time the tubes have rusted and need to be replaced before they rust through, which will let the carbon monoxide escape into the rink area. 2007• Replace Desiccant Wheel on Dryer /Heater Unit: Estimated Cost: $7,500 The Desiccant Wheel is part of the Dryer /Heater Unit that dries out the air before it is introduced into the building. Hot air is moved across the wheel as it turns removing the humidity from the air that then goes into the building. Over the years the Desiccant on the wheel wears to a point where it is no longer effective. The life expectancy of a wheel is about five to seven years. 2007: Condenser for the Barns Ice Plant: Estimated cost: $35 500 The Barn' condenser will be at the end of its life expectancy and should be replaced before any major problems arise. We are starting to notice some of the same symptoms that we are experiencing with the ~lymplC Tlllk C011deT1SeI. 2008: Re -slap the Low Pressure Receivers on Ice Plants: Estimated Cost: $10 000 The Low Pressure Receiver is a large holding tank where the refiigerant is stored in the Ice Plant. The outside is insulated with a dense insulation that is held in place by sheet metal that is wrapped around it. Over the years this sheet metal has become rusty and is pulling away of the insulation, causing the insulation to come off. We have made some patches to keep the sheet metal secure, however it is getting to the point where repairs will not hold up. 2009: Electric Ice Resurfacer: Estimated cost: $85 000 - $95 000 By this time the existing Electric machine will have over 5,000 hours of use on it, and the back up machine (Old Blue) will need a major over haul. By establishing an Ice Resurfacing purchasing plan the Arena will operate more smoothly without unexpected problems arising. 2010: New Heatin S stem For the Barns Locker rooms: Estimated cost: $7 500 - $12,000 The heating system in the Barn's locker rooms is a home furnace that was installed in the year 2000. B @ D Plumbing told me that the furnace would last about ten years in this type of environment. We can either install a heating system that is designed for Arena's environment, (like the in -floor heating in the Olympic rink) or we can keep on changing out the furnace every eight to ten years. The in floor heating system will cost more upfront, but will save us in energy cost in future years. If we decide to go with the furnace we would still have to install new ductwork, the old ductwork is beat up from. years of abuse. `!?: Paintin of the ceilin of the Ol m is rink: Estimated cost: unknown Due to humidity problems when the rink opened in 1997, the ceiling of the rink has experienced rust and molding on the ceiling. Since we have installed a dehumidifier, the rusting and molding on the ceiling has subsided. We will continue to monitor the ceiling to determine when we should paint the ceiling. ~~ Year• Front addition /lobby: Estimated cost: $1,000,000 An addition to the lobby would definitely enhance the Arena. As it is now it gets very crowded during busy times at the rink. It would be nice to be able to have office space in this area so that the general public can easily get in contact with someone when visiting the Arena. At this time the southwest corner upstairs by the bleachers of the Olympic rink could be finished for an office space area. There has been some talk about a field house being built on the eastside of the Arena. If this comes about, it would be beneficial to see if a common lobby area between the field house and the Arena could be constructed. `~~ Year• Remodel upstairs area• Estimated cost: $75,040 -100,000 The bleachers are removed in the south end of the Barn. The Arena is in need of an area where meetings can be held as well as storage and office areas. This would be a good project to combine with one of the Arenas users such as Elk River Youth Hockey. ~~ Year• Artificial Turf: Estimated cost: $80,000.00 The artificial Turf will give the Arena another source of revenue. Indoor soccer as well as Lacrosse programs could be played in the spring when the ice is out in the Barn. This project should be put on hold until it is determined when and if a field house is going to be built in Elk River. If a field house were to be built, we would have to determine if it is feasible to have turf in the Barn.