School seeking expansion

Fair-Mont-Egan School may soon get a makeover if voters approve a $1.9 million bond request.

The school board voted unanimously on Monday to run a bond election this spring.

If voters approve the $1.9 million, Fair-Mont-Egan trustees and officials plan to build a new gymnasium, administrative offices connecting the school’s two buildings and at least two new classrooms.

The money also would pay for some remodeling, including expanding the library and computer lab, creating quiet tutoring spaces for special education and Title I students, creating a band and music room and adding storage space.

A central kitchen may be incorporated for before- and after-school programs and to create adequate lunchroom space.

Fair-Mont-Egan trustees decided to pursue the bond in part because the district qualified for a Qualified School Construction Bond grant, which provides 0 percent interest on the bonds.

The grant also shortens the bond term from 20 years to 15 or 17 years.

Cayuse Prairie recently was awarded a similar grant, which helped persuade voters in November to approve the district’s $1.95 million bond request to build a new gym.

Fair-Mont-Egan also has received a $25,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to help with planning costs, and the district is applying for a project grant available through federal stimulus programs.

School officials say they will continue to watch for other grant opportunities that may help with costs.

Ballots for the mail-in election will be mailed March 17 and must be returned to the district office by April 6.

If voters approve the bond request, annual property taxes would increase approximately $184 on a home with a $126,400 taxable market value, according to school estimates.

The district has been discussing possible expansion options for some time. This fall, the school hosted public meetings to discuss its options.

One concern consistently expressed at meetings was the impact of out-of-district students. While these students increase the school’s enrollment, thereby adding to its general fund budget, their families’ taxes do not support the school.

About 38 percent of Fair-Mont-Egan’s enrollment is made up of out-of-district students.

Some community members questioned the fairness of asking in-district taxpayers to shoulder a bond request that would benefit in- and out-of-district students alike. Some suggested charging tuition to help spread the burden.

Instead, trustees found a less expensive building plan. Instead of asking voters to approve a plan that would cover the district’s full $2.6 million bonding capacity, they chose a plan that was closer to the bonding capacity of its in-district residents.

For further information about the election or the project, contact district clerk Susan Clanton at 755-2038.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.