Montezuma Ministerial Association Chimes In

This was taken from the Montezuma United Methodist Church e-mail newsletter sent out today:

The Montezuma Ministerial Association would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the many progressive initiatives taking place in our community. As leaders of our respective churches and congregations, we feel it is our duty to remind our community members to vote in the September 14, 2010 school bond election, wherein the local school district is seeking money to improve and upgrade the existing school facilities. It goes without saying that both churches and schools are vital ingredients of a vibrant community. The Association encourages all local voters to educate themselves on this important issue. Be sure to mark your calendars for the September 14 bond election and make your voice be heard concerning the future of our community.

OPINION: BOB BROWNELL WEIGHS IN - CLASS OF 1986

Bob Brownell Letter to the Editor, Deep River (Poweshiek County) Record, Week of September 1, 2010

OPINION: Here's What's Great About Montezuma

This week before the bond issue election, I wanted to write in with my support for the Montezuma Community School District ballot issue.

As a transplant resident, I have lived in 12 different communities and attended 6 different schools throughout my life, many very different from Montezuma. This is a great place to live and raise a family, and the school is certainly an important facet of our community.

Here’s what’s great about the Montezuma Community School District. Our kids get a fantastic education. Our kids are safe. Our kids are cared for. My brother, who lives in Florida, is amazed that my children go to school in the same building as high school students and actually thrive in that environment. Who says bigger schools are better? Montezuma is unique, and I would maintain lucky, to be one of the school districts in Iowa where all K-12 students attend class in the same building. That uniqueness provides us with a sense of community and cohesiveness that is a rare gem in today’s world.

Here’s what’s not so great about the Montezuma Community School District – its facilities. Compared to the schools around us, our buildings are outdated, out of compliance with state and federal regulations, and in some respects, dangerous. In addition, when prospective new families visit our building, it just doesn’t compare to the facilities of neighboring communities. Although the education provided by our faculty is first-rate, that fact is often overshadowed by what people SEE.










Please make sure you have the REAL facts about the issue before making your decision. Go to www.supportmonte.blogspot.com or to the school’s Web site at www.montezuma.k12.ia.us (click on “Bond Issue”) to get all your questions answered.

VOTE YES for both bond election initiatives on September 14. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rachelle L.K. Johnson

You've got questions? We've got answers.

Some district residents view slides showing repairs needed at the school.






Information is available on the school's website, including a 68-photo tour of areas in the building that are in need of repair.

To see the photos, go to: www.montezuma.k12.ia.us

To over to "bond issue" on the right side of the home page, then scroll down and you will find the information.

Supertintendent Dave Versteeg said it's a $15 million project. He said a question he hears often is, "why not just build a new building?"

"We can't afford it," he said. "Our debt capacity, by law, is just over $19 million," he said. "A new building could cost between $25 an $30 million."

Versteeg said $1 million worth of roof work alone needs to be done. "Not all at once, but over 10 years," he said.

"The junior high portion of our building was built in 1928 and not much has been changed," he said. "So, some portions of our building are 90 years old. We've been putting band-aids on something that needs surgery. It happens."

Another question the superintendent gets concerns why more classrooms are proposed during a time of decreasing enrollment.

"Because some of the existing rooms would be displaced by the remodeling of existing rooms and areas," he said.

Part of the proposed plan calls for a geo-thermal heating and cooling system at a cost of $1.6 million. "But we could save $40,000 a year on our heating bill," Versteeg said. "It would be more efficient. For that much savings we could cool the building, too. So we look at it more as an investment than a cost."

Here's a preliminary "frequently asked questions" list about the issue, with more questions and answers to be added as more input and information is obtained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Montezuma School District's General Obligation Bond Election

1) When is the election?

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010.

2) Where can I vote and what time are the polls open?
Voting will take place at the Montezuma Public Library, 500 East Main. Hours 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

3) Who can vote in this election?
Any eligible, registered resident of the Montezuma Community School District can vote.

4) How to I register to vote?
You can register to vote prior to the election at the Auditor's Office at the courthouse. Youc an also register to vote online at: http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html

Or - you can register to vote on election day if you bring proof of residence at intentity with you to the voting poll.

5) What if I live in the Montezuma School District, but my children open enroll to a different school - can I still vote?
Yes. You are eligible to vote.

6) Can I vote absentee?
Yes. Absentee ballots are available starting Aug. 5 at the Poweshiek County Auditor's Office in the courthouse in Montezuma, or the request form is available online at www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html

7) What percentage is required for passage of the election?
Sixty (60) percent.
8) On the sample ballot there are two questions that I have to vote on. Why is this?
The first question asks if you support the borrowijng of the money by the school district. The second question asks if you support the increase in property taxes. In order for the measure to pass, each question must have 60 percent approval.

9) How much money will be raised by the issuing of these school bonds?
Approximately $11,535,000.
10) What will the money be used for?
To defray the costs of construction, equipping and furnishing some new classrooms; remodeling, equipping and furnishing additions to, and remodeling, improving, and furnishing existing school classrooms and parking areas.

11) How will this bond election affect my property taxes?
Property taxes will increase between $2.80 and $4.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation depending on the valuation of the property in the district at th time the bonds are sold. Because agriculture property, residential property and commercial property are taxed differently, the exact amount of property tax will be different.

12) How much debt does the school district have now?
Zero (0).

13) When was the last time the school distrcit borrowed money for a building project?
In June of 1989 the voters of the Montezuma School District approved the borrowing of $1.5 million for an addition to the elementary school.

14) What is the tax levy rate of the Montezuma School District for the 2010-11 school year and how does this compare with our neighbors? (Stated in dollars per thousand of assessed valuation).
$11.17 - Montezuma
$13.70 - BGM
$15.67 - Grinnell
$12.83 - Lynnville-Sully
$13.98 - North Mahaska
$14.99 - English Valleys

15) How is the One Cent Sales Tax going to be used for this project?
The school district will borrow against future proceeds of the One Cent Sales Tax to generate approximately $3.63 million to be used for the project.


16) For as much money as we are talking about spending on this project, why don't we just build a new building?
The short answer is we can't afford to build an entirely new building. Our current building is approximately 100,000 square feet in size. New construction is estimated at $225 per square foot. A new building of the same size as we have now would cost at least $22.5 million. Currently, our total bonding capacity (maxium debt allowed by law) is approximately $19.4 million.


17) With so much concern and news about the lack of funding or schools, how can we afford to be building?
A schools budget is broken up into several "pots" of money. Salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and materials are funded through General Fund. The General Fund has been most affected by recent cuts in state aid by the Iowa Legislature.

While General Fund money can be used for construction, it is much more common for a school to use (and/or borrow against) its One Cent Sales Tax proceeds and/or to ask the voters to approve debt through the issuing of bonds.

The debt bonds are then reapid with the additional property tax collected to a school does not have to use General Fund money to make the payments.

18) Do we need to renovate our building if our enrollment is dropping?
Year - Enrollment
2006 - 514
2007 - 485
2008 - 487
2009 - 539
2010 - 506
Predicting the future of our enrollment is dependent on many factors. Looking a the next 10 years, it is estimated that we will maintain our current 35 to 40 students per grade level. Economic growth in our community could enhance our enrollment. Often times the quality of the school plays a key role in decisions by busineses and famlies to locate or remain in a community.

19) Are our students at Montezuma Schools performing academically as well as they should be?
Montezuma students perform well on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for students in grades 4-8 and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) for students in grades 9-11 when compared to the state average. The following information comes from the Iowa Dept. of Education's School Profile website at http://www.iowaschoolprofiles.com/.

For 2006-08, some 88.68 percent of students in the 4th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 78.87 percent proficient.

For 2006-08, some 86.79 percent of students in the 4th grade are proficient in math as compared to the state average of 80.78 percent.

For 2006-08, some 73.33 percent of students in the 8th grade are proficient in reading as compared to the state average of 72.53 percent.

For 2006-08, some 77.72 percent of students in the 8th grade are proficient in math as compared with the state average of 76.09 percent.

For 2006-08, some 76.74 percent of students in the 11th grade are proficient in reading, as compared with the state average of 77 percent.

For 2006-08, some 81.61 percent of students in the 11th grade are proficient in math, as compared with the state average of 78.36 percent.

For the 2007 school year, Montezuma Schools reported a graduation rate of 96.55 percent, compared with the state average of 90.49 pereent.

20) What is the breakdown of the costs of these projects?
These are in general terms, with costs estimated on Jan. 21, 2010:
Site utilities - $50,000
Construction costs - $13,292,000
Fixtures, furnisture and equipment - $187,000
Contingency allowances - $1,703,000
Project development - $1,782,000
Total estimated budget - $17,014,000.

The following cost estimates are projections and do not reflect the total cost of the project. costs do not include the cost of hazardous materials abatement, contingency allowances and project development expenses and fees.

Phase One - Elementary/Junior High
Phase Two - Elementary/Junior High
Phase Three - High School

Roofing replacement - One - $142,500. Two - $123,800
Remodeling, mechanical - One - $798,000. Two - $693,000. Three - $1,152,200.
Remodeling, plumbing - One - $285,000. Two - $247,500. Three - $411,500.
Remodeling - FP - One - $114,000. Two - $99,000. Three - $164,600.
Remodeling, electrical - One - $342,000. Two - $297,000. Three - $493,800.
Communication/security - One - $26,600. Two - $35,200. Three - $21,900.
Technology infrastructure - One - $17,700. Two - $23,500. Three - $14,600.
Elementary classroom furniture - One - $62,000.
Junior high classroom furniture - Two - $40,000.
High school classroom furniture - Three - $85,000.
South parking lot - One - $144,000.
North parking lot - Three - $160,000.
Demolition - One - $126,000. Two - $49,500. Three - $90,000.
New mechanical room - One - $1,200,000.
8 replacement classrooms (not additional rooms, but to replace rooms lost in the remodeling) - Two - $1,851,000.
Weight/fitness room - Three - $315,000.
Remodel elementary rooms - One - $774,000.
Renovate elementary school west wall - One - $105,000.
Renovate elementary exterior - One - $142,500.
Remodel junior high rooms - Two - $495,000.
Remodel junior high stairs and elevator - Two - $150,000.
Remodel junior high restrooms - Two - $105,000.
Renovate junior high exterior - Two - $123,800.
Remodel high school rooms - Three - $1,055,000.
Remodel high school locker rooms - Three - $462,000.
Remodel high school restrooms - Three -$65,000.
Remodel high school gym - Three - $170,000.
Renovate high school exterior - Three - $205,800.


SUB-TOTALS
Phase One - $4,279,300.
Phase Two - $4,333,300.
Phase Three - $4,866,400.

21) The estimated budget of $17,014,000 for the project is more money than the $15,000,000 that will be raised for the project through the bond election - $11,500,000 and borrowing against our sales tax - $3,600,000. Why is this?
We are estimating the costs used to plan the project are 10 to 15 percent higher than they will be when bid. Alternate bids on some aspects of the project will also be used to lower costs if necessary and some things may have to be cut out if bids are higher than anticipated and the total cost of the project is more than can be afforded.
22) How long will construction and/or remodeling take?
Approximately two-and-one-half years. The work will be done in phases, so some parts of the building will be completed before others. If construction starts in the spring of 2011, the project will be totally completed by December of 2012.

23) Because of the economy, is this a good time to have a bond election?
From the school district's perspective this is an excellent time for a bond election. Interest rates are very low, thus less money will be spent on interest and more can be spent on the project. Construction companies are giving very competitive bids and it is estimated that the project could cost 10 to 15 percent less than estimated, thus allowing us to do more with the funds.

24) Why is this building project important to the community?
The school is a vital aspect of our community. The community needs the school to be an institution that can offer a first-class, quality education to all students; be a pre-K through 12 school for many years to come; and be a facility that can be used for a variety of purposes by the community. It is time to make a financial investment in the physical building that will last for many years to come.

25) Where can I see pictures of the need for this project and get other information about the plans?
a). Go to the school's website at: http://www.montezuma.k12.ia.us/
b). Click on the 'bond issue' button on the top of the page and there will be several information items to look over.

Voters tour school, ask questions

This article (and the photographs) was written by Montezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:

With stains above and below, the high school library isn't
a most attractive room.
Voters tour school, ask questions

July 22, 2010
There was and is a concern about costs.

There were some questions about how the Montezuma Community Schools building got into the condition it is today.

"But the consensus seemed to be, 'yes, we need to do it,'" said schools superintendent Dave Versteeg Wednesday night at a meeting of the Support Montezuma Campaign.

The meeting came at the conclusion of two hours of tours of the buildings conducted by Versteeg and junior high/high school principal Brian Moretz. An estimated 55 people went on the tours.

The school is asking voters to approve $11.5 million in general obligation bonds on Sept. 14 to do extensive remodeling of the building.

There were some rumors circulating - one was that the geo-thermal plan to heat and cool the building would be 50 percent of the cost. (It's closer to 10 percent).

There were questions as to why the building needed to be air conditioned.

There were questions about why the junior high's upstairs hallway needed to be made straight.

School officials didn't duck any questions. If they didn't know an answer, they asked someone in their group to write down the question and promised to get back to the questioner.

Those on tour experienced how warm interior classrooms without windows can get. Room temperature Wednesday night was 84 degrees. School is called off when those temperatures reach 90. People were sweating.
People saw cracks in closets, chipped paint around leaky windows, multi-colored tiles in hallways (because the original design is no longer available).
The tour descended deep into the junior high basement to the boiler room. A Kewanee boiler, which appeared to be in mint condition, is still functioning - about 50 years beyond its expected life. Kewanee ceased production in 2002, although parts are still available from a company in Pennsylvania. Still, if it breaks down, it will cause a problem.

The clock system in the high school doesn't work, although some individual clocks do, if powered by batteries. There is no voice mail. The bell system doesn't work.

Companies that provided those services are no longer around. Versteeg explained that the school district can't simply contract with local firms that appear to have excellent longevity prospects. The school is a public entity and must put items up for bid.

Those on tour visited the high school library, which Versteeg called, "a disgrace. When you're bringing prospective students and families through the school, this is a tough place to visit. Even our own people don't want to be in here."

The library is dark, and there are stains on the carpeting and on the ceiling.

Refreshments were provided at the end of the tours and people were free to remain to discuss various aspects of the bond issue.
No future tours are planned, although officials didn't rule out the possibility during the post-tour meeting. Versteeg also said he will conduct individual tours and to contact him for a time.

Dave Versteeg pointed out that clocks, bells and voice mail don't work.












A leaky window in the junior high.

Multi-colored tiles adorn hallways.

Tax vote: A cost . .or an investment?

This article (and the photograph) was written by Mntezuma resident Keith Brake and can be found at http://www.clownsiniowa.com/:

Tax vote: A cost . .or an investment?

How much will the $11.5 million Montezuma school remodeling project cost you as an individual?

And would the project drive up the cost of educating our students to difficult-to-maintain levels?

An answer to the second question first, because it's simple. It comes from school superintendent Dave Versteeg, who says the cost to educate per pupil will not be impacted. He said that is because a district's indebtedness is kept separate from the cost of educating students when compiling the cost-per-pupil figures.

Versteeg notes that according to the the Iowa Association of School Boards web site, the fiscal year 2010 cost per pupil in Montezuma and neighboring districts was:

$5,768 for Montezuma;
$5,935 for North Mahaska;
$5,768 for Lynnville-Sully;
$5,783 for BGM;
$5,791 for Grinnell-Newburg.

The question of taxes is more involved. But the total tax rate won't double, or go up by one-third, as has been speculated by some in the community.
At a maximum increase of $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the school's asking, the increase on your total tax bill would be about 13 percent. While substantial, it's not a doubling, or a one-third increase.

Versteeg issued figures based on a property tax calculator on the school's web site. And, if you go to the school's web site and plug in your assessed valuation numbers, you can get a calculation of your cost increases. The web site is www.montezuma.k12.ia.us. Then, go across the top to the right to "bond issue," then on the screen that pops up, you'll find a line for the caluclator.

The estimate you will receive is the impact the proposed school increase would have on your total tax bill. If you need help with your own numbers, you can contact the assessor or auditor's office.
For residential property assesssed at $81,950, the increase on an annual basis would be $136, or 11.9 percent.
For residential property assessed at $107,880, the increase on an annual basis would be $185, or 13.6 percent.

For residential property assessed at $150,050, the increase on an annual basis would be $265, or 13.3 percent.
What about commercial property?

And what about agricultural property?

If the issue is passed, the increase would range between $2.80 and $4.05 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Let's start with the maximum possible: a $4.05 increase, then go to the minimum: $2.80.

Agricutural Property
Increase per acre: $3.44 a year. @$2.80: $2.38
Monthly - 29 cents an acre. @$2.80: 20 cents a month
Daily - Less than one cent per acre at $4.05 and at $2.80.


Commercial Property
Assessed valuation $10,000.
Increased cost per year: $40.50. @$2.80: $28.00.
Per month: $3.38. @$2.80: $2.33.
Per day: 11 cents. @$2.80:8 cents.

Assessed valuation $50,000.
Increased cost per year: $202.50. @$2.80: $140.00.
Per month: $16.88. @$2.80: $11.67.
Per day: 55 cents. @2.80: 38 cents.

Assessed valuation $100,000
Increased cost per year: $405.00. @$2.80: $280.00.
Per month: $33.75. @$2.80: 23.33.
Per day: $1.11. @2.80: 77 cents.

Assessed valuation $200,000
Increased cost per year: $810.00. @2.80: $560.00.
Per month: $67.50. @$2.80: $46.67.
Per day: $2.22. @2.80: $1.53.

Assessed valuation $1 million
Increased cost per year: $4,050.00. @$2.80: $2,800.00.
Per month: $337.50. @$2.80: $233.33.
Per day: $11.10. @$2.80: $7.67.

Residential Property
Assessed valuation $75,000
Increased cost per year: $122.84. @$2.80: $84.93.
Per month: $10.24. @$2.80: $2.33.
Per day: 34 cents. @$2.80: 23 cents.

Assessed valuation $100,000
Increased cost per year: $170.34. @$2.80: $117.77.
Per month: $14.20. @$2.80: $9.81.
Per day: 47 cents. @$2.80: 32 cents.

Assessed valuation: $150,000
Increased cost per year: $265.33. @$2.80: $183.44.
Per month: $22.11. @$2.80: $15.29.
Per day: 73 cents. @$2.80: 50 cents.

Assessed valuation: $200,000
Increased cost per year: $360.32. @$2.80: $249.11.
Per month: $30.03. @$2.80: $20.76.
Per day: 99 cents. @$2.80: 68 cents.

Assessed valuation: $400,000
Increased cost per year: $740.29. @$2.80: $511.81.
Per month: $61.69. @$2.80: $42.65.
Per day: $2.03. @$2.80: $1.40.

To break it down into even simpler terms, if you own a home assessed at $100,000, and the levy comes in at the maximum of $4.05, your daily increase would be 47 cents a day . . . less than what you might spend on a fresh cup of coffee.

To get up to a $1 a day increase, ($365 a year) you would have to own residential property assessed at $202,465.

"Our school boards, including this one, have been fiscally responsible," Versteeg said. "We have a very low per pupil cost and property tax rates compared to our neighbors."

"Our school building has to be competitive with neighboring schools in order to attract new families," Versteeg said. "New families are not only good for the school's enrollment, but good for the community in terms of business and so forth," he added.

Versteeg encouraged that residents look at the issue as "an investment in our community and in our own property values. It's time to say, 'yes.'"

OPINION: Vote 'Yes' to invest in Montezuma

Dear Editor:

Montezuma is actually one of the two least expensive places to educate a child compared to the following schools. The $11.5 million school bond issue will not directly affect the per pupil cost of educating students in Montezuma. The debt service a school district incurs is handled separately from the direct cost per pupil calculation. The Iowa Association of School Boards indicates that the Fiscal Year 2010 cost per pupil is as follows:
$5,768 - Montezuma
$5,791 - Grinnell-Newburg
$5,783 - BGM
$5,935 - North Mahaska
$5,768 - Lynnville-Sully

Further the current and previous Montezuma School District Board members have always been financially responsible to the utmost degree with the available monies. They have planned well and acted wisely.

While the Montezuma School District has experienced a decline in population over the past ten years, the trend has, at this time, reversed course. One way to continue this upward trend is to have a 21st century facility. Remodeling and updating is necessary to become compliant with state building codes and address the expectations of the community. If we do not move forward, people could choose to have their children educated in other districts.

The bond issue could, at the most, increase a residential property owner's taxes approximately 13 percent. While that does, as an initial statistic, sound like an extremely substantial increase, what matters at the end of the day is what it costs a given homeowner. At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 net of assessed value of, let's say a $100,000 home, a homeowner's cost is only 47 cents a day in a year. That's less than a can of pop or a cup of coffee!
Regarding a commercial property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value of a $100,000 commerical property, the net increase is $405.00 per year. That's only $1.11 per day!
Regarding an agricultural property owner: At the maximum tax levy of $4.05 per $1,000 of net assessed value, the net increase is only $3.43 per acre!
Prospective businesses and prospective employees of current businesses want to know that Montezuma has an advanced school of which they can be justifiably proud. While the graduation rates and success of graduates indicates such, the physical state of the facility does not. This plan will increase the opportunity for Montezuma to compete with other school districts and enhance economic development. We must (and we can) improve the facility to provide a 21st century education. Vote "Yes" to invest in Montezuma School and the Community.

Sandy Ross, Chair
Support M.O.N.T.E. Committee