Jan 17, 2013 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Area School Board was informed Thursday the district’s initial application for state reimbursement for its proposed school renovation project has been approved by the state.

Kevin Hayes of Hayes Design Group, the project architect, told the board the first two planning and construction workbook (PlanCon A and B) documents have been approved and his firm and the district are moving ahead on the next PlanCon submittal.

The approval of PlanCon A and B does not guarantee the district will receive reimbursement. That won’t be guaranteed until PlanCon G is submitted and approved, he said.

However, if the district continues through the process, without any substantial changes to its plans, it will receive the state reimbursement, Hayes said.

Superintendent Craig Baily also said it is unlikely the district will not receive reimbursement for the project.

The project is moving ahead on schedule, Baily said. “We’re right on track for an April 2014 construction start date.”

The district is planning to renovate all three of its buildings, a project estimated to cost between $23 million and $25 million. With state reimbursement estimated at $7 million, the district’s costs will be between $16 million and $18 million.

Baily told the board he would be scheduling meetings, probably before each regular board meeting, to discuss the project as it proceeds through the design phases. “You’re going to be involved in this every step of the way,” he told the board.

Board President Tom Ricco asked Hayes whether additional security measures will be incorporated into the renovation plans in light of the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Hayes said security measures will be considered and those issues will be presented to the board as it moves through the design process.

In other business, the board received the audit for the year ending June 30, 2012, from auditor John Zivkovic.

Zivkovic told the board the district received an “unqualified opinion,” which is the “best opinion” the district can receive.

The district ended the year with a $4.5 million fund balance savings. Of that, $1 million has been earmarked to cover the district’s post-retirement obligations.

Zivkovic also noted that during the year, district expenses exceeded revenue by only $27,000 and the cafeteria fund had a loss of only $4,500. The cafeteria “practically broke even,” he said.

The board voted to place $1.7 million of the about $3.4 million unencumbered in the district’s fund balance in a debt service fund for the renovation project.

The board also approved a resolution agreeing not to increase taxes this year by more than what is permitted by the state index established by the Taxpayers Relief Act. The maximum amount the district is permitted to raise property taxes without exceeding the state index is 2.6 percent. This equates to 0.55 of a mill, business manager Amy Todd said.

The board voted to increase the hourly rate paid to substitute custodians and secretaries from $8.25 to $9.25 an hour. Baily said the rate has not been changed for a number of years and the district is having trouble finding substitutes, especially for maintenance.