Highland board sets timeline for $3.9 million project

“All systems are go now. Feels like this is a firm timeline,” Superintendent Chris Armstrong told the Highland Board of Education Monday about starting the $3.9 million improvement project for the districts middle and high schools.

All systems are go now. Feels like this is a firm timeline

Bid opening is set for March 14 with a board bond bid date of April 16. Approval of the date and sale of $3.66 million in bonds passed by a 4-1 vote. Bruce Temple was opposed.
Armstrong also noted that the board will have to hold a special meeting to accept the bids and construction contract.
The board set 6 p.m. April 16 for the committees to review the final plans during a work session. Board member Bob Schneider cautioned that the board needed to be certain plans are right to avoid change orders because change order “will cost the district more money.”
The board agreed to review the plans at a March 16 work session.
Business Manager Bev Colbert told the board the district “shouldn’t have a problem paying off the bonds,” that it has A/stable rating, and that US Bank has called about bidding on the bonds.
The district has a $1.03 per $1,000 valuation for debt service, a figure that has been going down. I was noted that 15 years ago, the levy was $2.80 per $1,000.
“I believe we’ll be able to stay stead,” said Armstrong.
Colbert noted, “Our goal this year is not to raise the tax rate.”
In other business, the board:

• learned that the new ballfield lights have been installed at the Ainsworth elementary school. The project received a $70,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF);
• received a report about Camp Highland from Becky LaRoche that last year had costs of approximately $39,000. One of the projects will be he Camp Highland Corner, written by the student participants;
• approved rewriting the Special Education Delivery Plan. The plan, in partnership with the Grant Wood AEA, is due August 15 for board approval September 13;
• approved an early retirement plan for staff;
• approved a sharing agreement with West High School, Iowa City, for swimming. There were two Highland students who participated in 2008;
• learned there will be a board retreat the last Wednesday in March; and
• set the next meeting for 7 p.m. March 9 at the high school.