The Batesville School District is asking all school patrons and registered voters to take a survey and give input for a plan to secure the future of the school district.
The district has released three proposed plans for the public to review. Participants are invited to review the plans and then take a survey prepared by the district. Scroll below for the proposed plans and a link to the survey.
“By taking the survey, the school will have a better idea about what options patrons would like to see in the plan to secure the school’s future,” said Batesville Superintendent Dr. Michael Hester.
Hester says the school will use the input to make recommendations to the Batesville School Board and will have the final plan ready for the Spring 2020 ballot. The plan, according to the superintendent, will need to be financed with a bond paid off by a tax on personal property and real estate.
“It’s not a sales tax. This is property tax,” Hester noted. “We show people in our information, in the plans, we show them how much it costs for a $25,000, a $50,000, a $100,000 home…So, here’s what we say, the plan costs a latte, movie tickets for two, or a family meal of pizza. That’s how much we’re asking a month that this plan would cost.”
Listen to White River Now’s Gary Bridgman’s full interview with Dr. Hester regarding the plans and the survey below.
BOND SURVEY 2019: SECURE OUR FUTURE
Step 1: Review Plans listed below (or click here for the Google Docs version)
- Tip: Print off Plans A, B, & C and compare them side-by-side.
Step 2: Take BSD Referendum Survey
____________________________________________________________
Plan A
The Minimal Plan
This plan calls for:
-
- Securing entrances for all elementary & secondary schools – $1 million
- Classrooms (6) w/storm shelter built into halls at each elementary – $5.8 million
- Theatre with Fine Arts Classrooms at BHS – $17 million
- Rooms for: Band, Choir, Drama, Orchestra, HS cafeteria/lobby
- Gym with Associated Classrooms at BHS – $15 million
- Rooms for: Health, Family and Consumer Science, P.E., Dance/Cheer & Sports Medicine
- West Elementary Classroom Renovations – $5 million
- Replace the1938 wing & modular classrooms for Special Ed., music, art, English to Speakers of Other Languages, reading, speech, Gifted/Talented, library, administration & nurse offices.
- Elementary Playground Restoration– $1 million
-
- New playground equipment added to each elementary school
- Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kiwanis Football @ North City Park – $1 Million
- Varsity baseball & softball field all-weather surfaces
- Jr. High Foundation Work and Restrooms Remodeled – $2 million
The cost of this plan is between $45 and $47 million
The typical “property tax” impact is:
| Residential
Market Value |
Yearly
Tax Impact |
Monthly |
| $25,000 | $39 to $41 | $3.38 |
| $50,000 | $80 to $82 | $6.75 |
| $75,000 | $120 to $122 | $10.13 |
| $100,000 | $161 to $163 | $13.50 |
The Advantages Of This Plan Are:
-
- Least expensive for citizens in the short run.
- Basic elementary classroom/storm shelters at each elementary. Addresses minimum safety & classroom space for continued district grow in enrollment.
- Eliminates the 10 modular classrooms that are over 30 years old.
- Some security for the outside of each elementary & secondary building.
- Replaces 15 of the1938 classrooms at West Elementary.
- Builds a theatre (BSD is the only 5A district in AR w/out a theatre) & adds minimal instructional classroom spaces & seating (1,800).
- Addresses inadequate gym (BSD has the smallest 5A gym in AR and the area) & minimal instructional classroom spaces & seating (2,000).
- Limited storm shelter built into locker rooms.
- Each secondary school will have its own cafeteria & gym space.
The Disadvantages Of This Plan Are:
- Will require other referendums in the foreseeable future (4-7 years).
- Will be more costly in the long run due to rising construction cost.
- Smaller classrooms & locker rooms for storm shelters.
- Only a few of the security needs for all school entrances are met.
- No elementary playground maintenance safety is addressed.
- Only a few elementary playground equipment needs are met.
- Does not address the Jr. High classroom remodeling needs & security.
- Does not address the addition of preschool classrooms or playground safety.
- Only a few of the gym parking & drainage control needs are met.
- Does not adequately address the baseball/softball/soccer/Kiwanis football playing field surfaces, lights or stadium seating on the North City complex.
- Does not address the district transportation center cost-effectiveness.
- Does not address the district traffic and congestion needs at any building.
- Does not address the update for the FAA agriculture classroom & barn.
- Only basic theatre & classrooms needs are addressed.
- Does not address the district asbestos abatement.
- Does not address the need for additional classrooms in the future.
______________________________________________________________________
Plan B
The Moderate Plan
This plan calls for:
-
- Securing entrances & parameters for all elementary & secondary schools – $1.5 million
- Fencing, lighting & gates to secure campuses.
- Classrooms(6) w/storm shelter built into halls at each elementary – $6 million
- Theatre with Fine Arts Classrooms at BHS – $18 million
- Rooms for: Band, Choir, Drama, Orchestra, HS cafeteria/lobby
- Gym with Associated Classrooms at BHS – $17.5 million
- Rooms for: Health, Family and Consumer Science, P.E., Dance/Cheer & Sports Medicine
- West Elementary Classroom Renovations – $5 million
- Replace the 1938 wing & modular classrooms for Special Ed., music, art, English to Speakers of Other Languages, reading, speech, Gifted/Talented, library, administration & nurse offices.
- Securing entrances & parameters for all elementary & secondary schools – $1.5 million
- Elementary Playground Restoration– $2 million
-
- New playground equipment added to each elementary school
- Maintenance for needed dirt work and playing surfaces
-
- Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kiwanis Football @ North City Park – $4 million
- All four BSD baseball & softball fields with all-weather surfaces, LED lighting, and indoor hitting facility.
- Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kiwanis Football @ North City Park – $4 million
- Traffic Congestion Relief & Parking Lot Repairs $2.5 million
-
-
- Eagle Mountain new road and access for congestion and parking
- Pave bus delivery road behind Jr. High
- Upgrade West Elementary access roads and parking
- Jr. High Foundation Work, Restrooms & Classrooms Remodeled – $5 million
- Remodel classrooms with flooring, windows, paint, and fixtures
- Safety and security features added.
-
- Preschool Additional Classrooms & Playground Maintenance – $1 million
- Transportation & Maintenance Facility Efficiency – $2 million
- Relocate to the east of the Jr. High school for efficiency and upgrades.
The cost of this plan is between $63 and $65 million
The typical “property tax” impact is:
| Residential
Market Value |
Yearly
Tax Impact |
Monthly |
| $25,000 | $57 to $59 | $4.88 |
| $50,000 | $116 to $118 | $9.75 |
| $75,000 | $174 to $176 | $14.62 |
| $100,000 | $233 to $235 | $19.50 |
The Advantages Of This Plan Are:
-
- Will require no other referendums for the foreseeable future (12-16 years).
- Will be less costly in the long run due to rising construction costs.
- Moderate security & safety upgrades at all school entrances and parameters.
-
- Eliminates the 10 modular classrooms that are over 30 years old.
- Replaces 15 of the 1938 classrooms at West Elementary.
- Builds a theatre (BSD is the only 5A district in AR w/out a theatre) & adds instructional classroom spaces & seating (2,000) w/built-in storm shelter.
- Addresses inadequate gym (BSD has the smallest 5A gym in AR and the area) & moderate instructional classroom spaces & seating (2,200).
- Storm shelter built into locker rooms.
- Each secondary school will have its own cafeteria & gym space.
- Jr. High will get a moderate classroom remodel and safety renovation.
- Road work will alleviate traffic congestion at school pick up and drop off zones.
- Efficiency moves with the Transportation Center saves BSD $100K/yr.
- Preschool classrooms for families on the waiting list and playground safety features.
The Disadvantages Of This Plan Are:
- Moderate Plan does not address all of the district needs.
- Moderate Plan plan provides a smaller scale than “Complete Plan”.
- Does not address the district asbestos abatement.
- Another bond referendum will likely be required as soon as this one is complete.
______________________________________________________________________
Plan C
The Complete Plan
This plan calls for:
-
- Securing entrances for all elementary & secondary schools – $3 million
- Cameras, fencing, lighting & confidential security layers
- Classrooms (6) w/storm shelter built into halls at each elementary – $7 million
- Theatre with Fine Arts Classrooms at BHS – $20 million
- Rooms for: Band, Choir, Drama, Orchestra, HS cafeteria/lobby
- Gym with Associated Classrooms at BHS – $19 million
- Rooms for: Health, Family And Consumer Science, P.E., Dance/Cheer & Sports Medicine
- West Elementary Classroom Renovations – $5 million
- Replace the 1938 wing & modular classrooms for Special Ed., music, art, English to Speakers of Other Languages, reading, speech, Gifted/Talented, library, administration & nurse offices
- Securing entrances for all elementary & secondary schools – $3 million
- Elementary Playground Restoration– $3 million
-
- New playground equipment added to each elementary school
- Maintenance for needed dirt work & playing surfaces
- All-weather surfaces at each elementary
-
- Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kiwanis Football @ North City Park – $5 million
- All four BSD baseball & softball fields with all-weather surfaces, LED lighting, covered bleachers and indoor hitting facility
- Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Kiwanis Football @ North City Park – $5 million
- Traffic Congestion Relief & Parking Lot Repairs $7 million
-
-
- Eagle Mountain, West, Sulphur Rock & Secondary campus new roads and pavement repair
- Jr. High Foundation Work, Restrooms & Classrooms Remodeled – $7 million
- Remodel classrooms with flooring, windows, paint & fixtures
- Maximum safety & security features added
- New commons area between Jr. High and gym to connect buildings
-
- Preschool Additional Classrooms & Playground Maintenance – $2 million
-
- Transportation & Maintenance Facility Efficiency – $4 million
- Relocate to the east of the Jr. High school for efficiency and upgrades.
- Upgrade our FFA classroom & barn facility
- Transportation & Maintenance Facility Efficiency – $4 million
- Abate all asbestos floor tile & tile adhesive in all district buildings – $3 million
The cost of this plan is between $83 and $85 million
The typical “property tax” impact is:
| Residential
Market Value |
Yearly
Tax Impact |
Monthly |
| $25,000 | $76 to $78 | $6.54 |
| $50,000 | $155 to $157 | $13.00 |
| $75,000 | $232 to $234 | $19.62 |
| $100,000 | $312 to $314 | $26.15 |
The Advantages Of This Plan Are:
-
- Will require no other referendums for the foreseeable future (15-20 years).
- Will be less costly in the long run due to rising construction costs.
- Addresses complete safety & security needs at all campuses.
- Maximizes the space & scope of all projects listed.
- Eliminates the 10 modular classrooms that are over 30 years old.
- Replaces 15 of the 1938 classrooms at West Elementary.
- Builds a theatre (BSD is the only 5A district in AR w/out a theatre) & adds all of the instructional classroom spaces and seating needed for the future (2,400).
- Addresses inadequate gym (BSD has one of the smallest 5A gyms in AR and the area) & complete instructional classroom spaces and seating (2,400).
- Storm shelters built into locker rooms.
- Each secondary school will have its own cafeteria & gym space.
- Complete remodel and safety renovation of the entire Jr. High.
- Would accomplish all campuses traffic relief and parking lot repairs.
- Preschool classrooms for families on the waiting list & playground safety features.
- A new Transportation Center for efficiency that saves BSD $100K/yr.
- Upgrades FAA classroom & barn facility.
- Addresses all asbestos abatement in the district.
The Disadvantages Of This Plan Are:
- Most costly for citizens in the short run.
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