Knoxville Schools Awarded Grant

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January 22, 2010

Steve Woodhouse The Zope Gazette Fri Jan 22, 2010, 03:06 PM CST

Knoxville — The Knoxville School District has been awarded a state energy grant from the Office of Energy Independence for lighting replacement.

The district is planning to replace lighting throughout West and Northstar Elementary Schools. This is estimated to cost $66,000 and the grant will cover $9,900 of those costs.

Another $3,200 will be kicked in to pay for lighting replacement in middle school class rooms and maintenance. This is estimated to cost $20,000 total.

Finally, the lights in the high school gym and shops, as well as all indoor lighting at GOAL, is a project estimated to cost $45,700. The grant will cover $7,300 of that.

The grant was written by local CPA Don Croghan. School Board Member Mark Mahoney, on behalf of the entire board, expressed his appreciation for Croghan’s efforts Monday night.

With these grants, the district intends to participate in MidAmerican Energy’s rebate program that will provide additional funding for these projects. Mike Moats, Knoxville Schools’ Energy Manager, believes that almost 70 percent of the costs of this project will be covered through grants and rebates.

Disposition of old junior high

The school board learned more about the disposition of the old junior high building Monday night. They indicated to Superintendent Randy Flack they would prefer to tear the building down, as opposed to selling the property.

The district is unsure whether or not the roof has materials that contain asbestos. An estimate for known asbestos removal is $50,000, with demolition expected to cost $125,000. These factors contributed to the board directing Flack to pursue demolition.

“My concern all along has been I don’t want to have another dump in the middle of town,” Board Vice President Tim McDonald said.

Board Member Leslie Miller suggested selling the entire block, including the current administration building. Administration would be moved to a different location. The board felt that losing the gym in the administration building would create scheduling difficulties. The goal remains to dispose of the old junior high soon.

“Whatever it takes to get rid of it, I’m for it,” Board President Jeff Wallace said.

Revenue Purpose Statement vote

Knoxville School District voters will take to the polls April 6 regarding the local option sales tax’s revenue purpose statement. This will not be a tax increase, it merely changes the language in the school’s existing policy to use funding the district will receive for different projects. The existing tax will remain in place either way.

The revenue purpose statement must be renewed by 2014. The school board wants to move it up so they can go forward with more projects. These proposals include roof repair, energy efficiency, pipe replacement at the middle school, resurfacing of the track and tennis courts, corridor floor covering replacement, elementary playground resurfacing, football field turf replacement and possibly, construction of an auditorium.

Revenues cannot be used for salaries and benefits, classroom supplies, materials or any other general fund purpose. If voters approve the new revenue purpose statement on April 6, it will be good through 2029. The district will be allowed to borrow against anticipated revenue in the future.

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Knoxville Schools Awarded Grant

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