The Carroll Community School District’s (CCSD) Board of Education is moving into the next phase of the transportation facility, introducing a timeline to establish financing. The members were first introduced to the design of the new building in March of this year and officially approved the design during its meeting on Apr. 23. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says that while the district is unsure of its route, it needs to follow the necessary steps to secure financing.
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Piper Sandler will be the district’s financial advisor since the district will be entering into debt from a general obligation bond using the district’s Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) account. This funding, previously known as the statewide school infrastructure sales and services tax, is to be used for construction, repairs, or school district property tax relief. Director of Business Affairs Nicole McCarville says the board needs to be aware of the timeline because there are deadlines that they will potentially have to meet.
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The tentative schedule states the board will schedule the public hearing during the next meeting on Jun. 17, allowing 10 to 20 days for a notice of the public hearing to be published in the newspaper. McCarville is suggesting the public hearing be held on Jul. 15, then allowing for a 14-day petition period from the public before the bond sale on Aug. 14. Board member Duane Horsley asked if there was a way to schedule another meeting with DLR Group present with the public to explain better why the district is looking to pursue a project of such high costs.
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All board members agreed with Horsley on the idea of another meeting, and Berlau says he will contact the district’s communications firm, Donovan Group, to help create a presentation explaining what board members want the public to understand. Once officially scheduled, CCSD will get the information out as they anticipate the public’s participation and voice their opinions. The district values the public’s input and wants them to understand the reasoning behind the move.