Representatives for Zerr Berg Architects, Inc. have conducted several days of discussion with Lake Park Audubon staff members.  The discussions are part of the design process to assure facilities will be designed and constructed to function as staff members intend.  Architects will compile discussion notes for staff to review.  Once the notes are confirmed, architects will proceed with the next level of planning.

  Construction bid information for the elementary site is expected to be ready later this summer with actual construction beginning as early as September.  Initial phases of the project will be limited to construction in the areas outside the footprint of the existing building.  Once the area designated for mechanical and custodial use is constructed, items from the current shop will be relocated to allow for renovation of that area into classrooms.  Soon after school is dismissed in May of 2011, the remainder of the renovation at the elementary will commence.  Nearly all work at the elementary site is expected to be complete in August of 2011.

  Progress on the high school will not be visible as early as work at the elementary.  Due to the project’s size and the time needed to complete design, bids for construction will likely begin sometime between December and February with construction to start in April or May of 2011.  Ideally, excavation and leveling for the high school building, parking lots, and outdoor areas will be completed this fall.  Initial road construction from the high school site to Highway 10 is likely to occur this fall or winter also.  Accomplishing the site development this fall will allow an earlier construction start date the following spring.  The high school is scheduled to be substantially complete in August of 2012.

(Building Project Update 7 12 10)

Bond Sale Results in Savings for District’s Property Owners

The Lake Park Audubon Board of Education approved three bond sales on June 29, 2010.  The sale results are positive for the District and LPA property owners.  Prior to the May 25, 2010 election, Ehlers and Associates projected total interest on the Build America Bonds (BABs) $1,414,943 over 17 years but the total post-sale interest projection has dropped to $597,726.  The actual sale and repayment schedule results in over $800,000 in interest savings.  The savings are a result of favorable rates and the restructuring of the District’s Debt Payment Schedule.

Based upon pre-election information, Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) were projected to have a net-interest amount of $0.  Interest on the BABs is reduced to $550,932 and total interest on the QSCBs and QZABs will be $46,794.

The reduction in interest results in a projected tax decrease for all LPA property owners.  A chart comparing pre-election projections and post-sale tax amounts for Residential Homesteads and Seasonal/Recreational Residential properties is provided below.  Commercial and agricultural properties will have proportionate decreases as a result of a favorable bond sale.

May 25, 2010 was a great day for the students and communities of Lake Park and Audubon.  The $21,105,000 building bond referendum passed by 520 votes.  Total votes cast = 2556, Yes = 1538 (60.2%), No = 1018 (39.8%).

At approximately 10:20 PM on election night, LPA Board of Education Chairperson Vicky Grondahl read the election results to a group of nearly 100 who were gathered in the north gym of the elementary building.  Watching the initial reaction and ensuing celebration of students and community members was one of the most thrilling times of my life.  The night was particularly special for me because my wife and children were present to hear the election results and share in the excitement.

The success of the building bond referendum accomplished much more than just the obvious physical improvements of facilities.  Students and staff will now have facilities and an academic environment that will enhance rather than inhibit their opportunities and programs.  The 60 percent voter approval clearly demonstrates that residents support education at LPA and this has had an immense impact on student and staff morale.  For several days following the election, high school students paused to examine the preliminary floor plans displayed in the hallway and teachers talked excitedly about what changes would be in store for students and themselves.  Students and staff are extremely grateful for the community support.

Over the last five years, LPA Board members remained committed to improving facilities for the District’s students.  The Board’s persistence, the federal stimulus opportunity, and assistance from community members finally brought about a successful building bond referendum.  The success of this referendum can be attributed to a small group of residents who worked passionately to promote support for the referendum.  This group made hundreds of contacts, they conveyed accurate information and helped dispel rumors, they explained the financial advantage of the federal stimulus, and they conveyed the urgency for this referendum to be successful.  The efforts of this group brought hundreds of LPA supporters together to make this referendum a success.

With the funding commitment in place, we begin to focus on the details of the proposed renovation and construction projects.  The timeline for projected work will not be finalized until later this summer.  Architects, our construction manager, and their engineers will have two or more months of preparation prior to initiating the bidding process for either site.

New construction is expected to begin at the elementary site this fall and some renovation will take place during the school year.  The final stages of the elementary project will begin after school dismisses in May of 2011 and work is expected to be substantially completed in August of 2011.  Work to be completed at the elementary site includes 4-5 new classrooms, three new classrooms in renovated space, a new boiler, new ventilation units for classrooms, new mechanical and storage spaces for custodians, and demolition of the 1922 building.

Work at the high school site this fall will likely be limited to site preparation and construction of the road from State Highway 10 to the school site.  Actual construction is expected to begin in May of 2011 and is projected to be completed by August of 2012.

This is an exciting time for LPA and I am so appreciative of the support for the building bond referendum.  I am anxious to have construction begin and I eagerly look forward to the advantages that will be provided to our LPA students, staff, and community members.  

(Lakes Country Connection – 6 14 10)