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Superintendent Dave Versteeg shows the amended Master Facility Plan to the board.

Master Facility Plan for school is amended
Feb. 24, 2010

The Montezuma Community Schools has an amended Master Facility Plan in place.

It has been pared down some from the original Master Facility Plan the board of education approved a year ago.

"We may have to revise this one, too, but, we're moving ahead," said Superintendent Dave Versteeg after the board signed off on the amended plan during its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

The new plan would cost an estimated $18 million, in today's dollars. Using maximum allowable levies in the sales tax and general obligation bonding, which would require voter approval, the district's current borrowing capacity is $15.26 million, according to information shown to board members on Wednesday.

The first plan approved by the board last year estimated costs at just over $19 million. But Versteeg asked Ron Hinds of the Shive-Hattery school architectural firm to take a closer look at all costs associated with the project and apply 2010 rates to them. Shive-Hattery's estimate for the original plan: $24.6 million.

The new plan eliminates construction of a new junior high gymnasium. "A gym can cost $4 million," Versteeg said.

The revised plan also eliminates a courtyard that had been proposed. "We'll keep as much of the existing building as we can," Versteeg said. "Under this plan, the building won't have all that everyone wanted."

The first plan, though, was more of a best-case scenario. "We have to balance our needs and our wants with our resources, both now and in the future," Versteeg said. "This plan is more within our means, yet meets our needs."

"It's close, but it's still not what we could afford," Versteeg said. "But, it's a plan. It keeps the process going."

The project would need passage at a bond election this fall. If approved, construction could start in the spring of 2011. It could be completed by June of 2013.

In approving the amended plan, the board directed the school administration to develop an implementation plan including ways to fund the project.

Since last February, the district has conducted an internal administrative review of the Master Facility Plan. It also contracted with Shive-Hattery to do revisions, which have been shared with administration members, staff and the Master Facility Plan committee, which included citizens from the community.

Plan approval doesn't obligate the board to do anything, Versteeg said.

"If we wait for the economy to get better, it might be too late," the superintedent said. "The same is true if we wait for certain stimulus money to come in."

"But there are people in Iowa," he said, "who are passing bond issues."

As part of the plan, the board has apporoved construction of a new bus barn facility.

Here are the key components of the revised plan:

Phase one - Construct a new central receiving and mechancial plant; construct eight new grades 5-6 and 7-8 classrooms at the south end of the existing junior high school; remodel the existing south entry to the existing elementary school and junior high; remodel existing classrooms including mechanical and electrical systems; construct new accessible restrooms.

Phase two - Remodel for new administrative offices, comp labs and art room; build a new entry canopy for the focal point of entry; remodel for new accessible restrooms, elevator and stairs; upgrade mechanical and electrical systems; resurface existing south parking lot.

Phase three - Construct a new high school weight room; remodel existing high school classrooms, office and media center; remodel existing high school locker rooms; remodel the gymnasium with new bleachers; remodel for accessible restrooms; expand north parking lot to add 80 vehicles to capacity.

The main entrance to the building would be moved to the east side.

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