Following is a series of Frequently Asked Questions and Responses regarding the upcoming referendum question that will be on the ballots on November 6:
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If enrollment is not increasing, why are we building a new elementary school?
The Committee tasked with determining the District’s facility priorities agreed that although our enrollment wasn’t increasing, our elementary school lacked the appropriate spaces for today’s teaching and learning needs. Many of the elementary classrooms are segregated from their peers, have no access to natural light, and are much smaller (650 SF) than today’s building standard for classroom size (at least 900 SF).
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What does the safety and security of the new elementary school look like? How is it compared to other districts?
The plans for the new elementary would meet today’s standards which include monitored and controlled entrances, increased video monitoring, and secure classroom doors.
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Why are there not safety and security projects included in the referendum question at the current Elementary/Middle School and only planned projects for safety/security at the High School?
The current elementary/middle school (1-8 building) has a monitored and controlled entrance that the voters approved in 2011. The district is in the process of upgrading cameras and door locks with funding provided by the statewide safety grant. The current high school entrance was created in 2001 and opens into the main lobby of the building. Although it has been upgraded to use video ‘buzz-in’ system with a camera for added security, today’s standards are that visitors should not have access to the building without first going through the office. The monitored and controlled access is included in the referendum.
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What are your plans for Arlington Early Learning Center?
The future use of Arlington is yet to be determined but could include: selling or re-purposing the building for community and/or District use.
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What will be done with the oldest section of the ES/MS?
The oldest section of the ES/MS has some of the smallest rooms in the district. It also lacks air conditioning and several rooms have no access to running water. Some of the rooms may be used for teacher offices (physical education currently has offices on the “stage” in the gym) but we anticipate utilizing some of the space for much needed storage.
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Will the referendum include building restrooms by the High School football field?
Yes, the referendum includes funds to create public restrooms by the fields.
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Will the referendum include installing Astroturf on any of our fields (new or old)?
The district does not have plans to utilize referendum funds to add Astroturf to any fields.
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How does a new Elementary School (ES) impact current bussing?
The district will work with our transportation provider to determine the best routes and routing time. Bussing at the new ES will have its own drop-off/pick-up drive separated from other traffic. We anticipate the drop off/pick up process to be much smoother than our present method.
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Will we still do community-based 4K?
The current plans are to continue with community-based four-year-old kindergarten.
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What does STEM or STEAM mean?
STEM or STEAM is an instructional approach that blends: science (S), technology (T), engineering (E), art and/or agriculture (A), and math (M) to give our students cutting edge skills so they are ready to tackle whatever field they choose to pursue.
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What does the District have budgeted for annual maintenance?
The district’s budget for annual maintenance varies based on need. The district follows a long range plan to replace/update many systems before “end of useful life,” however, the age of the buildings has outstripped the district’s ability to keep up with preventive maintenance.
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If a referendum passes in November 2018, when would the new ES open?
If the referendum should pass in November, the potential new elementary school would open for the 2020-21 school year.
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How would a referendum impact farmers?
Agricultural land is assessed differently. For example, an acre of productive agricultural land in Arlington may be valued at $300. Houses on farms are assessed and taxed at regular residential rates.
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Why are we not building a new high school?
After examining the buildings and the long range facilities study, the Community Facilities Advisory Committee determined that the majority of the needs were at the elementary level. Although a new high school and several other solutions were examined, those options were determined to be too costly and did not solve as many needs as a new elementary solution. (Click here to open a document that lists all of the proposed options considered)