The answer to that questions is yes. There will be some critics who will question why this was not addressed in 1996 when the plans for the B-R school addition were developed. The 1996 plan addressed the anticipated needs of the district at that time, but no one could know that the Nebraska State Aid to schools formula would provide financial incentives for public schools in two areas: 1) to start pre-school programs and 2) to keep K-3 class sizes 20 and below.
When the school absorbed the Bancroft pre-school, a large classroom became unavailable for junior high and high school classes. State and federal funds cover most of the pre-school costs (the district covers the utilities and maintenance costs). The financial incentive to split the second grade class covers the cost of the additional teacher. Financially and educationally, it only makes sense to take advantage of the funds available to help our students. Splitting the second grade also took a room that was used by the high school.
We currently have a need for 2-4 additional classrooms. Not all of these rooms would have to be 900 square feet like the rooms built in the 1998 addition. We could use two 900 s.f. rooms and 2 smaller 600 square foot rooms for small groups to meet. An addition would also be an ideal time to address the need for a larger performance stage and an additional locker room for PE classes. The B-R drama department has grown in interest and the one-act play is very competitive. We want to provide them a good facility. The locker rooms are adequate for sports teams, but not for high school physical education classes. A small locker addition would separate the sports from PE classes and provide a place for visiting teams to use after school.
The 1997 bonds will be paid off in five years. The current levy, bond included, is $1.00. The cost to pay off the bonds will be $370,000 a year through December 2015.
The district will be a financial position in which it can afford to add to the existing structure. Districts that do not maintain a general fund levy of 95 cents are penalized in state aid, so that every dollar the district saves ends up with 50 cents of that going back to the state.
