MCSD bond referendum FAQ

     In an effort to help promote the Tuesday, Sept. 11 bond vote for a new middle school in Monticello, the Express will share some FAQ concerning the proposed project. The Monticello Community School District released the following information in an effort to help educate voters, and answer any questions that might arise.

     Visit www.voteyesmonticello.com for further information.

Has the district explored other revenue sources?

     The Monticello school board and district leadership have been careful stewards for both taxpayer and state revenue streams. For years, Monticello’s tax levy has routinely ranked well below peer districts. By being fiscally responsible, the district was able to reduce the levy rate in 2019. As a result, when the bond passes, the rate will only represent a 66-cent increase from the district’s highest rate of $14.37 in 2014. The $15 million bond only represents part of the funding plan for the $22 million project. The remainder will be paid for by borrowing against future revenue from the district’s SAVE account, which is generated by the state local option sales tax. Future phases of the district’s long-term facility plan will be paid for using cash on hand in the SAVE account as well as the state facilities funding, commonly referred to as PPEL. By using all sources, the district has been able to form a plan for both the present and future that is fiscally responsible while also addressing near and long-term needs and goals.

What will the new 5-8 building look like?

     The new 63,250-square-foot building will have a secure entrance, larger classrooms for collaborative learning, and an auxiliary gym with a regulation court. Classrooms will range in size from 800 to 1,000 square feet, depending on the function. By comparison, the current middle school classrooms vary between 400 and 500 square feet. It will be designed for flexibility to anticipate a possible PK-4 addition in the future by strategically locating shared spaces such as a kitchen and gym. Co-locating adjacent to the high school will also allow for shared administration offices between the two facilities while also maximizing efficiency of staff and grounds by consolidating multiple district facilities onto one campus. Typically pre-referendum design includes programming – the process by which architects determine space requirements – and floor plans representing the results of the program analysis. After the bond passes, design of the middle school, including these spaces will begin in earnest going from concept to schematic design, to construction documents (also known as architectural drawings) and ultimately construction.