Chelan school board updated on Facilities Committee projects

CHELAN—The school district’s Facilities Advisory Committee met on March 5, and Superintendent Brad Wilson shared some of the details with the school board at its regular monthly meeting on April 8.

“What we are trying to do is wrap up our study and survey process,” said Wilson. “Part of that is to finalize our facilities plan that will be recommended to the school board for approval as part of the study and survey process.” 

Among the projects and estimated rough costs the committee is considering are:

Remodel Morgan Owings Elementary and add a gymnasium!

1. 66,000 SF remodel x $350/SF = $23,100,000.
2. 6,500 SF new gym x $450/SF = $2,925,000.
3. Allowance temporary housing of students = $1,000,000.

Potential construction costs = $27,025,000,

Potential project costs $27,025,000*1.4 = $37,835,000.

(*project cost adds 40% for incidentals and other fees)

New elementary at new site

1. 70,000 SF x $475/SF = $23,100,000

Potential construction costs = $33,250,000

Potential project costs $33,250,000*1.4 = $46,550,000

Stadium @ Mt. Goat Field

New stadium for track, soccer, and football

1. New 8-lane track & field events = $1,300,000
2. Artificial turf field = $1,800,000
3. Locker rooms: 3,000 SF x $475/SF = $1,425,000
4. 1,200 seat bleachers = $600,000
5. Concessions/toilet rooms: 3,000 SF x $475/SF = $1,425,000
6. Lighting = $325,000
7. Parking lot 300 stalls @ $2,500 each = $750,000
8. Press box = $200,000

Potential construction costs = $7,825,000

Potential project costs $7,825,000*1.4 = $10,955,000

While Goat Field is the site for the site the school’s major sports events, an upgrade would not solve another shortage.

“A big challenge we’re finding is if we o that we still don’t have enough practice area that we can totally vacate Sargent Field,” Wilson said.

Another option is to fix up Sargeant Field for football and soccer.

Stadium @ Sargent Field 

Modernized stadium for soccer and football.

1. Artificial turf field = $1,800,000
2. New football locker rooms: 2,000 SF x $475/SF = $950,000
3. Remodel existing soccer team locker rooms = $350,000
4. 1,200 seat bleachers = $600,000
5. Concessions/toilet rooms: 1,500 SF x $475/SF = $712,500
6. Press box = $200,000

Potential construction costs = $3,900,000

Potential project costs $3,900,000*1.4 = $5,460,000

Existing Central Office

Partially modernize existing central office for CSI

1. 4,500 SF x $275/SF = $1,237,500

Potential construction costs = $1,237,500

Potential project costs $1,237,500*1.4 = $1,732,500

High School Projects

Remodel Trades Center

1. 14,000 SF x $300/SF = $4,200,000

Potential construction costs = $4,200,000

Potential project costs $4,200,000*1.4 = $5,880,000

Wilson noted that the need to upgrade the metal shop and wood shop with modern equipment in a modern facility accounts for the higher cost.

Fitness Room Addition

1. 2,000 SF x $475/SF = $950,000

Potential construction costs = $950,000

Potential project costs $950,000*1.4 = $1,330,000

Wilson said that all of school facilities should be ADA accessible but the weight room is not so an option is to relocate it.

Repair Existing Metal Roof

1. 78,500 SF x $5/SF = $392,500

Potential construction costs = $392,500

Potential project costs $392,500*1.2 = $471,000

Replace Existing Metal Roof

1. 78,500 SF x $30/SF = $2,355,000

Potential construction costs = $2,355,000

Potential project costs $2,355,000*1.2 = $2,826,000

Wilson delivered a brief explanation of the funding options on the table.

Educational Programs & Operations Levies (EP&O)

• Flexible revenue from local taxpayers to supplement basic education, athletics, and other programs.
• Subject to levy lid laws per pupil
• Up to 4 years collection
• Simple majority 50% +1

Capital Projects Levies

• Common uses: Technology, safety, security, renovate facilities, athletic fields, repair roofs, HVAC, parking, transportation/buses.
• Up to 6 years collection
• Simple majority 50% +1

School Bonds

• Bonds are for buildings (new construction and renovation).
• Last bond passed: $5.5 million in 2008.
• Up to 40 years until final maturity (20-25 most common).
• Super majority 60% + validation.
• 12/1/2023 debt capacity: $159.8 million.

Wilson cited some examples of funding options for the projects he presented from the available bonds and levy vehicles.

Potential Funding Approaches

Capital Levy 2025

Educational - High School / Middle School

1. New fitness room = $1.33 M
2. Remodel Trades Center = $5.88 M
3. Repair High School/Middle School roof = $0.5 M

Educational total = $7.71 M

Athletics

2. New track = $2.1 M
3. Locker rooms: 3,000SF x $475/SF = $2 M
4. Lighting = $0.45 M
5. Parking lot: 200 stalls @ $2,500 each = $0.7 M

Athletics total = $5.25 M

Capital Bond 2029

New Elementary School = $46.5

Athletics = $6.6 M

1. Complete stadium
2. Locker rooms
3. Concessions
4. Parking
5. Lights

With help from figures provided by Corey Plager, Managing Director of investment advisory consultant DA Davidson Wilson reviewed property values and school taxes that factor heavily in all project funding decisions. 

“We have a high property value for a district our size…estimated to increase 10 percent from 2023,” said Wilson. “Part of that is due to $152.7 million in new construction…that’s new revenue on the tax rolls.” 

One of Plager’s graphs showed that overall school district tax rates per $1,000 valuation have ranged from a high of $2.41in 2016 to $.87 in 2024. 

The Facilities Advisory Committee will next meet on April 30 to further analyze project recommendations.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

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