Q: What is a school bond?
A: A bond allows a school district to borrow money to fund major capital improvements, such as renovations, safety upgrades, and infrastructure repairs. The borrowed funds are repaid over time.

Q: What is the total amount and cost of this bond proposal?
A: The bond would authorize up to $3.9 million, with an estimated total repayment cost of $7.7 million over 20 years. The district has the option to repay the bond early to reduce interest costs.

Q: Will this bond increase taxes?
A: No. This proposal would continue funding previously approved by voters in 2012 and 2017, without increasing the current tax rate.

Q: What would the bond pay for?
A: The 2025 bond would fund:

• Safety and security improvements

• Accessibility renovations

• Preservation and maintenance of current buildings and infrastructure

Q: Why begin construction in 2026?
A: Starting work in 2026 allows the district to plan effectively and minimize the impact of inflation and rising material costs, getting the best value for the investment.

Q: How is this different from the mill levy?
A: The mill levy supports ongoing operational needs, such as staffing and maintenance. The bond funds one-time capital projects like facility upgrades. Together, they help address both short- and long-term needs of the district.

Q: Why doesn’t this require a tax increase?
A: BV School District voters in 2012 and 2017 approved bonds and a dedicated property tax to pay those bonds. As the previous bonds are paid off, the district can ask voters to extend the property tax, without increasing the tax, and then issue additional bonds to address improvements to classrooms, school buildings and other educational facilities.

Q: The District was able to renovate the old McGinnis Gym without a tax increase.  How was this accomplished?
A:  The Old McGinnis Gym was of highest priority in the District’s Masters Facility Plan because the building had been condemned for public use for structural conditions and had critical abatement needs on the roof.  Estimates to abate ($350,000) and demolish ($500,000) the building totaled $850,000.  The District began a process of selling unused assets to address master planning needs, including the high priority need at McGinnis Gym.  In this process, a local partner, Watershed, Inc submitted a proposal to purchase the McGinnis Gym to restore rather than demolish the building.  Because of this partnership and the significant grants and tax credits secured by Watershed, Inc., the District was able to use proceeds from the sale of other assets to invest $850,000 to restore the gym.  The total cost of renovation of the McGinnis Gym, utilizing grants, tax credits, and the District’s funds was $2,914,962

Q: The track and field at BVHS was not updated during the renovations to the campus in 2018.  Why not?
A:  The voter approved bond in 2018 did not include funding for reconstruction of the Industrial Arts building, the “Red” Gym or the track and field.  The focus of the bond was on safety and security upgrades of the main building.

Q: How much use does the track and field get by students and also by the community?
A: The track and field is used by BV Schools extra curricular activities including middle and high school football (five teams), middle and high school cross country, high school girl’s soccer, and middle and high school track/field.  Total participation averages 220 students annually.  In addition, it is used for PE classes throughout the year that includes all middle school students daily and high school with a required one course with more than 50% taking two or more PE courses throughout their four years of high school.  In addition, the local elementary aged football program utilizes the field throughout the fall for competitions (five average games) and various athletic mini camps open to the public. The track and field is open for local community when not in use by the school district. 

Q: What are the estimated costs of the projects for  the $3.9 million bond?
A:  The following quotes are not final and estimated with local contractors and master facility plan consultant:

• Drainage work at elementary:  $350,000

• Boiler at BVHS Red Gym: $500,000

• Reskin Red Gym: $400,000

• Safety/traffic flow work at elementary:  $700,000

• Track and field repairs and upgrades:  $1,200,000 (donations will also be used)

• Accessibility and safety upgrades associated with district office: $500,000

• Contingency: $250,000