Litchfield School District Building Proposal

1. New Elementary School Litchfield School District Building Proposal

2. Where we are now & how we got here

3. 1930: GMS opens, 4 classrooms • 1955: 4 classrooms added • 1958: 2 classrooms added • 1960: 4 classrooms added • 1972: 9 classrooms, gym, offices • 1978: 5 classrooms, library, cafeteria • 1983: 3 classrooms • 1984: Grades 1-8 = 643 students • 1988: LMS opens - 300 student capacity • 9 regular classrooms • 2 science rooms • 4 rooms (music, art, FACS, tech ed) • 2 sped rooms A Lot of History

4. 2004: School bond fails • GMS repairs • New smaller school • 2005: School bond fails • 1 large school • 2006: School bond fails (smaller than ’05) • 1 large school • 2006: School board re-vamps building committee • No school board voting members • 5 community members volunteer • SAU & school board liaisons • 2008: upcoming bond vote Recent history

5. Building Committee Members2006-2007 Voting members (*) reside in Litchfield • Tracy Caprioglio*, Chair • Mike Boschi*, Vice-chair • Karl Franck* • Jack Scheiner* • Shawn Egan* • Cathy Hamblett – SAU Liaison • Steve Martin – SAU Liaison • Cindy Couture – School Board Liaison • Bo Schlichter – GMS Liaison • Dan Cecil – Architect All school board members are Litchfield residents

6. What’s the problem? There’s a real need for: newer, modern educational spaces ADA & building code compliance solving the water problem standards compliance kindergarten space energy efficiency storage space

7. What options were considered ? • Renovate GMS with an addition • The roof on GMS could not handle the weight of a second story addition • Restrictions on state building aid • Renovate GMS with a new small school • construction costs alone were higher than a one school option • Restrictions on state building aid • Replace GMS with a new larger school • Least expensive option • No questions on state building aid • One elementary school to maintain • No state building aid for GMS site new construction • Kindergarten space

8. So what’s the repair list and associated costs? • The list is extremely detailed and too large to list here (copies available) • Major items • Stop ALL use of the 1930’s building • New HVAC systems • New electrical and lighting • Central dehumidification (attempt to resolve humidity issue) • New windows and doors • ADA code compliance • New insulation above ceilings • Additional roof support (snow load bearing) • Septic system life unknown • Total: $10.5 million to “revitalize” GMS • Average $150,000 per year in repairs

9. OK, $10+ million is still less than a new school • Repairs would update the physical systems in the building • Repairs do not address the educational shortcomings of the building (no movement of walls, etc) • Designed for 401 students • Special Ed student spaces not appropriate • 1930’s building usability ( 4 classrooms + storage lost) • Classroom square footage restrictions • Technology un-friendly • Lack of storage

10. Can’t we renovate GMS? • Renovation has to meet State Department of Education specifications • Square footage per student • Reduces the capacity of GMS even further • State Department of Education won’t provide building aid for ANY NEW construction on the GMS site • Still have the water issue to solve for state aid availability • Where to put the students while work progresses? • Can’t do the work in phases • Costs could approach new construction costs • Still requires additional new construction

11. Proposal Overview • Use district owned land next to LMS • Dry, excellent soils for construction • No land acquisition costs • Classroom capacity for 705 students at opening • 625 students in grades 1-5 • 80 ½ day kindergarten students • Cafeteria and Library designs easily expanded to accommodate any future growth • Initial size reduced by educational spaces • State Building Aid • 30% reimbursement for grade 1-5 areas • 75% reimbursement for kindergarten areas • Durable, modern and energy efficient • Cost effective for long & short term • Provides “breathing room” given the current 10 year enrollment projections

12. How does it all fit at the LMS Site?

13. How many classrooms, and what layout?

14. How many classrooms, and what layout?

15. Project Financials

16. Project Financials

17. Kindergarten Impact Construction : $1,141,800 Administrative: $ 252,990 Fees/Services: $ 116,000 Sub-total: $1,510,790 75% state aid: $1,133,093 District cost: $ 377,697 Impact Fees: $ 377,697 Net cost $ 0

18. What about my taxes over 15 years? 15 year bond @ 5% $300,000 home: Year 1 = $132 Year 2 = $429 Year 3 = $429 Year 2 is the highest tax impact Total taxes over 15 years: $6345 $400,000 home: Year 1 = $176 Year 2 = $572 Year 3 = $572 Year 2 is the highest tax impact Total taxes over 15 years: $8460

19. What about my taxes over 20 years? 20 year bond @ 5% $300,000 home: Year 1 = $138 Year 2 = $366 Year 3 = $366 Year 2 is the highest tax impact Total taxes over 20 years: $7068 $400,000 home: Year 1 = $184 Year 2 = $488 Year 3 = $488 Year 2 is the highest tax impact Total taxes over 20 years: $9424

20. Questions

21. Dollars and Sense

22. Putting it into perspective.. $1.57/day $1.80/day For coffee $1.70/day For cable TV $2.15/day Movies -1/month

23. Next Steps • Get community members involved! • Public forums • GMS “Behind the Scenes” Tours • Host a neighborhood/group meeting • Send postcards • Adopt a sign • Flyer distribution • Voting day support • Letters to the editor • HLN • Nashua Telegraph • Manchester Union Leader • Provide your email address • Forward communications to friends • Upcoming events

24. Unanswered questions • What will happen to GMS ? • Need community input • Public forums • Questionnaires • Surveys • Stay sensitive to town master plan and zoning • Obtain an updated appraisal • “Best use” might be residential housing • Sports fields? • Remain in use during construction • School board is sensitive to usage • We have 2 years to determine the best solution