MAY 2015 SHERWOOD AREA PLAN PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN We take your child s education
From the Superintendent Since being appointed Superintendent of Pulaski County Special School District in 2011, I have had the honor of leading the District through remarkable improvements in many areas. Two of the most challenging were the historic settlement of the more than 30-year desegregation case and the separation of the Jacksonville area schools from the PCSSD. Without a doubt, these changes will help improve the educational environment for students in the Central Arkansas region for years to come. A key component to settling the desegregation case is attaining unitary status with respect to facilities. Our students deserve a better educational environment, and we are committed to that challenge. As such, my team streamlined District operations -- reallocating money to address the most pressing facility needs at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Our efforts are making a noticeable difference. Although we have made monumental strides with respect to facilities, replacement of outdated and undersized schools is not possible without an increase to our current millage rate. The construction masterplan outlined in this document addresses undersized and antiquated schools remaining in the PCSSD after the Jacksonville separation and helps us reach facility parity -- a critical factor to PCSSD being fully released from court supervision. With this in mind, our Commissioner of Education approved a millage election set for May 12, 2015. This ballot issue seeks an increase of 5.6 mils to address the budgetary requirements necessary to fix school capacity issues, to replace our outdated facilities and to reach facility parity across the remaining PCSSD. Yours in education, PCSSD PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN MAY 2015
Foreword PCSSD schools average 44 years old with the oldest built in 1952. Due to the age of the schools and limited funds available, the District maintains a large backlog of deferred maintenance. This obsolete and aging infrastructure is increasingly more expensive to maintain and highlights an inequity with respect to school facilities across the District. Over the past four years, the PCSSD aggressively streamlined operations to ensure effective use of available revenue. For instance, closure of four schools, demolition of three antiquated campuses and consolidation of administrative functions over the past four years have helped focus limited resources on the most pressing needs by reducing unnecessary or expensive-to-maintain infrastructure. As a result of these and other improvements, the District was able to increase the annual building fund budget for facility restoration and modernization projects and has accomplished an additional $28 million in critical repairs and improvements over this same timeframe. Through the help of improved operations, an increase to the facility sustainment budget by $750,000 annually helps address obsolete systems and aging infrastructure needs throughout the school year. To help ensure transparency and the best use of precious resources, the District implemented a facility prioritization process. This model-process and the associated funding reallocation are having a major impact on the District s facilities. Improved roofing systems, parking lot overlays, restroom renovations, HVAC upgrades, painting of interiors and exteriors of facilities and various other infrastructure projects are visible throughout the District. These Interior and exterior improvements to building systems and finishes are having a huge impact. Unfortunately, space deficiencies and curriculum shortfalls can only be overcome through large scale construction projects and facility parity is not attainable without significant investment.
This masterplan calls for construction of a new high school to replace the current Mills High School, conversion of the current Mills High School into a middle school and demolition of the existing Fuller Middle School. It also provides for a new high school to replace the current Robinson High School, conversion of the current Robinson High School into a middle school and demolition of the current Robinson Middle School. The plan builds a high school on the current Sylvan Hills High School campus and renovates the existing high school to meet the demand of recent and future growth in the Sherwood area. At Maumelle High School, a track complex, lights and bleachers for the softball and baseball fields, an indoor multipurpose facility and additional parking are planned. The District plans to construct a new elementary school in the I-440 corridor to replace antiquated facilities in the area, as well as a new elementary school to replace the Robinson Elementary open-space school and provide capacity for recent growth in the surrounding community. The plan addresses traffic concerns on all campuses to improve safety for the students, staff and patrons and adds capacity where necessary to negate the need for portable classrooms. The District intends for every elementary school to have a multipurpose facility/gymnasium with climate control and upgraded playgrounds where necessary. Other interior and exterior improvements will be made to the campuses as bid savings and/or lower bond rates are realized. Only the schools that remain in the PCSSD after the split of the Jacksonville North Pulaski area schools are covered by the masterplan. The Jacksonville area patrons are not eligible to vote in the PCSSD millage election on May 12, 2015 nor will any of the revenue from this millage increase go to the Jacksonville North Pulaski schools. The separating Jacksonville North Pulaski District will address long-range facility needs in the Jacksonville area schools at a later date. This construction masterplan was developed through a group effort. Maintenance technicians, teachers, support staff, parents, community members, school leadership and district leadership have all had input into development of this plan. The graphical representations of additions, renovations and construction are notional. Actual placement and size will depend upon design considerations developed in conjunction with a team of school, community and District representation. This plan addresses needs on all schools that remain in the District after the Jacksonville separation.
Sylvan Hills Attendance Zone
Sylvan Hills Attendance Zone Campus Need Sylvan Hills High SCHOOL Construct new high school adjacent to the current campus to meet area growth Renovate existing high school Remove remaining portions of the 9th Grade Academy Improve athletic facilities RENOVATED HIGH SCHOOL BUS DROP PARENT DROP PE / MULTIPURPOSE ADDITIONAL PARKING NEW HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC FACILITY
BUS DROP RESTROOMS PARENT DROP Sylvan Hills Middle SCHOOL Improve traffic flow around campus Construct restrooms near playing fields PCSSD PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN MAY 2015
Sylvan Hills Attendance Zone Campus Need Sylvan Hills Elementary SCHOOL Additional academic space and remove portable classroom structures Improve parking and traffic flow Add climate control to multipurpose room Playground improvements PARENT DROP BUS DROP ADDITIONAL PARKING ACADEMIC SPACE
PE / MULTIPURPOSE ADDITIONAL PARKING RENOVATED ACADEMIC/SUPPORT SPACE PARENT DROP BUS DROP Sherwood Elementary SCHOOL Increase parking capacity Physical education/multipurpose space Playground improvements PCSSD PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN MAY 2015
Sylvan Hills Attendance Zone Campus Need Cato Elementary SCHOOL Move to Northwood Middle after new Sylvan Hills High school is complete PLAYGROUND BUS DROP PARENT DROP
RENOVATED CLASSROOMS RENOVATED MEDIA CENTER BUS DROP PE / MULTIPURPOSE PARENT DROP ADDITIONAL PARKING Oakbrooke Elementary SCHOOL Additional academic space and remove portable classroom structures Physical education/multipurpose space Separate car and bus traffic for improved flow and safety Playground improvements PCSSD PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN MAY 2015
Sylvan Hills Attendance Zone Campus Need Clinton Elementary SCHOOL Additional academic space and remove portable classroom structures Physical education/multipurpose space Playground improvements
Financials and timeline
Financials Recommendation for a 5.6 Mil Increase to the PCSSD Debt Service Millage Rate The special election date is May 12, 2015. The administration of PCSSD is asking the voters of PCSSD to approve the extension of its current 14.8 debt service mils, restructure certain outstanding bonds and a 5.6 mil increase to its debt service millage rate in order to issue new refunding and construction bonds needed to make districtwide improvements to its facilities. This will have no effect on the new JNPSD or the taxpayers within its borders. A 5.6 mil increase will bring the PCSSD total millage rate to 46.3 mils. The 46.3 mils will include 25.0 mils for Maintenance and Operation,.9 mils for Technology and 20.4 mils for Debt Service. The total millage rate for the Little Rock School District is 46.4 and the total millage rate for the North Little Rock School District is 48.3. Therefore even with this increase, PCSSD would have the lowest millage rate of the three Pulaski County school districts. A mil is one-tenth of a cent and taxes are assessed on twenty-percent of market value. For example, a house valued at $100,000 is assessed at $20,000 and 5.6 mils of tax would equal $112 per year or $9.33 per month. Based on assessments for 2013 of $2,644,995,204, and assuming that the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District includes 15% of this total, 5.6 mils of additional tax would generate annual revenue of $12,086,570 assuming a 96% collection rate. If bonds were sold today, the expected interest rate would be approximately 4.0%. Though future interest rates cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, the administration has used an assumed rate of 4.5%, and therefore expects a 5.6 mill increase would support 30-year bonds that would net the district approximately $213,000,000 for construction projects. In addition to the amount of bonds that could be issued, the district will have available $20,804,500 of state desegregation revenue that must be used for the construction of academic facilities. Part of this amount is to be
allocated to the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District. The exact manner of allocation has not yet been decided but, if based on student population alone, the new district would receive approximately 26% or $5,409,170 of the $20,804,500 leaving $15,395,330 available for Pulaski County Special School District. Current cost estimates for the needed district-wide facilities improvements total approximately $221,000,000. If interest rates and costs are lower than current estimates, the district could issue shorter-term bonds, make additional improvements to facilities, or ear-mark a larger annual amount for future sustainment, renovation and modernization of facilities. However, if interest rates exceed 4.50% and/or building costs exceed $221,000,000, it will be necessary to either scale back the new construction or issue second lien bonds that can be supported through growth in property assessments. Although future interest rates and construction costs cannot be predicted with certainty, based on information obtained from the district s fiscal agent and district architects and construction managers, the administration believes a millage increase of 5.6 mils will provide sufficient revenue to support much needed district-wide facility improvements totaling approximately $221,000,000. Therefore the administration will ask the PCSSD voters, at a special school millage rate election to be held May 12, 2015, to approve a 5.6 mil increase to its debt service millage rate, extend its current 14.8 debt service mils, restructure the June 15, 2009, February 15, 2010, October 15, 2010 and January 1, 2011 bond issues, and authorize new 30-year refunding and construction bonds that will be used for new construction and other district-wide facility improvments. The anticipated expenses associated with the current construction masterplan are as follows: High Schools $150.5 M This category includes construction of three high schools, renovation of current high school space where necessary, demolition of obsolete facilities, addition of extracurricular and athletic facilities and indoor multipurpose facilities. Middle Schools $12.7 M The middle school category includes renovating and converting existing high school space into middle schools, adding restroom facilities for the extracurricular fields and climate control on a gymnasium. Elementary Schools $57.8 M The program for elementary schools includes construction of two new elementary schools, addition of classroom space to meet space deficiencies, construction of multipurpose/gymnasiums, playground improvements, interior improvements and traffic safety improvements on the campuses. PCSSD PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN MAY 2015
Timeline 2015 2016 2017 2018 PROJECT APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SPECIAL ELECTION MAY 12, 2015 HIGH SCHOOLS MILLS HIGH REPLACEMENT NEW CONSTRUCTION - REPLACEMENT SCHOOL MOVE IN ROBINSON HIGH REPLACEMENT NEW CONSTRUCTION - REPLACEMENT SCHOOL MOVE IN MAUMELLE HIGH ATHLETIC ADD (INDOOR PRAC / TRACK / BLEACHERS / LIGHTS / ETC.) MOVE SYLVAN HILLS HIGH CONSTRUCT NEW ADDITION / IMPROVE EXISTING FACITLITIES MOVE MIDDLE SCHOOLS MAUMELLE MIDDLE CONSTRUCTION MOVE SYLVAN HILLS MIDDLE CONSTRUCTION MOVE MILLS HIGH / MIDDLE CONVERSION - MILLS HIGH SCHOOL TO MIDDLE SCHOOL MOVE IN ROBINSON HIGH / MIDDLE CONVERSION - ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL TO MIDDLE SCHOOL MOVE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS I-440 CORRIDOR ELEM NEW CONSTRUCTION - I-440 CORRIDOR ELEMENTARY MOVE BAKER ELEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION MOVE CONSTRUCTION MOVE ROBINSON ELEM DEMO NEW CONSTRUCTION MOVE CATO ELEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION MOVE CHENAL ELEMENTARY CONSTRUCTION CRYSTAL HILL ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE DAISY BATES ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE LANDMARK ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE LAWSON ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE OAK GROVE ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE CONSTRUCTION MOVE OAKBROOKE ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE CONSTRUCTION MOVE PINE FOREST ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE SHERWOOD ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE CONSTRUCTION MOVE SYLVAN HILLS ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE CLINTON ELEM CONSTRUCTION MOVE
FAQs MILLAGE/VOTER INFORMATION The Pulaski County Special School District will be asking voters to pass a millage that would allow for new buildings, renovation and improvements at all schools in the PCSSD, not including the Jacksonville-North Pulaski area schools. Some of the frequently asked questions related to the millage, and the upcoming election, are listed below. For answers to additional, specific questions, please go to www.pcssd.org, scroll to the bottom of the page, and write to us in the contact us form. Q: When is the election? A: There will be a special election to vote on the proposed millage increase on May 12, 2015. Q: Where will I vote? A: It will be held at your regular voting/polling location or if the location changes, you will be notified by the county clerk. Q: How soon do I have to register to vote so I can vote in the May millage election? A: Per the Arkansas Secretary of State website or voter registration form, voters must be registered at least 30 days prior to the election in question.
Q: Where can I get a registration form? A: See this link: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/documents/voter_reg_ap_6-11.pdf Q: Can the patrons in the new Jacksonville-North Pulaski attendance area vote in this election? A: No. Q: What part of Pulaski County does this millage affect? A: Only those areas in the PCSSD attendance zone (not including those in the new JNPSD attendance zone). Q: Does any of this millage money go to the Jacksonville area schools? A: No; these funds will be strictly for facilities purposes on the PCSSD schools not in the Jacksonville area. Q: How will the 5.6 mils affect my property taxes? A: The tax will be $112 per year on every $100,000 of property value. Q: How long will the millage last? A: 30 years.
MAY 2015 PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAN SHERWOOD AREA PLAN 925 E DIXON RD, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72206 501.234.2000 pcssd.org