(LE MARS)–A decision about an estimated nine-point-four-million dollar building project may be made by the Le Mars Community School Board of Education in November.
School administrators updated the board (Monday) last night on the construction and remodeling project known as Phase 2.
The improvements would provide a gym with a capacity of 2,000; wrestling; art and band and practice rooms; parking lots; and tennis courts.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt said property taxes would not be increased for the remodeling and building which is to be paid for largely with school infrastructure local option sales tax (SILO) extended by voters to 2022.
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The other part of the financing is the Physical Plant and Equipment property tax known as PPEL. Wendt suggested the board allow the current voter approved PPEL levy to end in 2012 and replace it with a board approved PPEL levy. That would lower the tax rate 67 cents.
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Annual operating costs for the expanded facility are projected at $50,000 which would be taken from the district’s general operating fund.
Board President Patrick Murphy looked to a November school board vote, if the project moves through upcoming meetings. Murphy encouraged the board to review the details presented by administrators at the meeting.
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If a timeline is followed and the board moves forward with the remodeling and building project, ground breaking could be in the spring with completion in 15 months. However, no action was taken on the project Monday night.
The next step is to have the district’s architect meet with the board. That’s expected October 11th.
Image of building project from Cannon Moss Brygger Architects, Sioux City
