Space, access, support: Airport Community Schools seeking bond proposal approval

CARLETON – Airport Community Schools is seeking a school bond on the May 2 ballot.

John Krimmel, district superintendent, said the bond is needed to add space, access and support to the district. He cited a growing district enrollment as the driving force for the projects.

If approved, the bond would increase taxpayers' millage rate by an estimated 2.85 mills for up to 26 years to generate approximately $64 million for the projects. For property with a taxable value of $100,000, that would mean an estimated yearly cost of $285.

The district has identified 10 projects to address facility needs, some of which are building projects and others are renovations.

“Our kids need this. These are investments that will last for a long time. This will benefit kids enrolled now. Future students at Airport are going to reap the benefit of these,” Krimmel said.

All the projects, he said, aim to keep Airport students on par with those in other area districts.

“Enrollment has been (trending) upward over the last few years and is projected to continue to go up,” he said. “(This proposal) doesn’t vault us to the top. It puts us on an even playing field with other districts for many years to come. We want to give our kids the opportunity that other school districts can provide.”

The superintendent said the greatest need is for additional classroom space.

Airport currently has a district enrollment of 2,885 for preschool through 12th grade, Caitlin Boron, educational technology/communications coordinator for the district, said.

An increase of more than 150 students is projected for Wagar Middle School over the next two years. The biggest need in the proposed project, Krimmel said, is for six additional classrooms at Wagar.

“Educationally, we do very well with the upgrades to our buildings and grounds. We utilize literally every square foot that we have in our buildings. But the elementary kids are moving forward. The next greatest need is space in the middle school. We’ve exhausted the ESSER money (federal pandemic Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief). There is no capacity for a project this size (without a millage),” Krimmel said.

Under the proposal, the classrooms would be added to the north of the media center at Wagar.

The second greatest need in the proposal, Krimmel said, is for a band and chorus room at Wagar. Currently, Wagar students walk to Airport High School for classes.

“It’s 200 yards, but that’s valuable instruction time and a safety issue,” Krimmel said.

Other proposed projects:

• Elevator at Wagar to accommodate students with disabilities and injuries.

“We have kids who cannot go up or down two flights of stairs. We have to move classes down to the first level,” Krimmel said.

• High school/middle school bus area, which would allow staging for 30 buses in front of AHS.

Currently, buses line up in the roadway in front of AHS and behind Wagar, which interrupts traffic flow and can be a safety issue, the district said. The area also would allow additional event parking.

• Tennis court improvements.

“We’ve had girls and boys tennis for a long time. We have six tennis courts that are in terrible shape. The tennis team has to drive to the Monroe Family YMCA to practice every day. We have no home events,” Krimmel said.

Under the proposal, two additional courts would be added.

• Indoor restrooms/concessions stands at the football facility.

Currently, portable restroom facilities are used. The space also would allow expanded concession offerings for the Airport Athletic Boosters.

• New performing arts center.

“Currently, any performances, band, choir, plays, we have in the AHS cafeteria,” Krimmel said.

The proposed new center would be 14,560 square feet on the ground level and 7,620 square feet on the second floor.

The center would include a scene shop, dressing room, office, concessions, elevator, stairs and control booth. Seating would accommodate up to 650 people. The space would be used for district art programs, like band and choir, elementary music concerts, and plays and could also be used by community organizations.

• Football/track stadium improvements.

“We currently have a six-lane track. We are proposing an eight-lane track because six can’t host invitations or state events,” Krimmel said.

The addition of turf to the football field also would allow other sports to use the field in other seasons.

“It could be a huge boon in young student programs, early middle and elementary, to allow them to use that space,” Krimmel said.

• Auxiliary gym, a new structure next to the proposed performed arts center, to house additional gym space, wrestling room, a weight room addition, lockers, storage, bathrooms and ticket counter.

The space also would be used for competition cheerleading and by youth programs.

• Additional infrastructure, such as new windows at Wagar, new exterior doors at AHS and districtwide scanning of roofs.

So far, the community seems supportive of the bond issue, Krimmel said.

“I’ve spoke at many regular gatherings, staff meetings, Rotary Club, parent events, concerts, many activities. The Jet Gazette (was mailed) to every mailbox. (Response) has been primarily positive. They certainly understand (need). No one loves a new tax; we certainly understand that. We’ve tried to demonstrate we’re not bulking at the top. We’re trying to accommodate enrollment and the projects we have,” Krimmel said.

He has heard no opposition so far.

“We’ve had some questions, the amount and length of bond and questions on some of the  projects,” he said.

If the millage passes on May 2, work would begin almost immediately.

“Design work would begin after May 2,” Krimmel said. “(The timeline) is dictated by season and bid schedule.”

All work could be finished within three years.

If the millage doesn’t pass May 2, Krimmel said the school board will “go back to the drawing board. With student enrollment, we have an immediate need. We will need to try to figure something out."

Airport Community Schools has worked with Kingscott and Clark Construction for the last 14 years to develop a building plan for the district.

Airport is currently in the last phase of a previous building project. Construction continues on the addition of six classrooms at Sterling Elementary, the district’s main building.

“We have been working all school year. They will be ready for occupancy for next school year,” Krimmel said.

Airport's previous millage was in 2018 and was an increase of 0.95 mill. The projects cost an estimated $15.7 million. The millage passed on the first attempt.

Other recent construction projects in the district included infrastructure work at Ritter, Sterling and Eyler elementary schools as well as safety and infrastructure work at AHS and Wagar. Niedermeier, which was previous closed, also was remodeled, upgraded and reopened in 2019.

Other area school districts with millages or millage renewals on the May 2 ballot include Monroe Public Schools and Mason Consolidated Schools.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Airport Community Schools seeking bond proposal approval