Picture from the DLR Group slideshow shows an aerial view of the new proposed facility
The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education and other school officials held a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) evening, allowing for public input and questions about the new proposed transportation facility. The district is getting closer to entering the project’s bidding phase and wanted to address the concerns of community members, allowing for any questions to be answered by the engineering firm, DLR Group, and Piper Sandler, who is serving as the district’s financial advisor. Eric Beron, Architect Principal, addressed the community members, explaining the “why” the district was pursuing a new transportation facility. By providing an updated and better maintenance facility, an automated wash system, and enclosed vehicle storage, the main goal was to extend the life of the 38-bus fleet, the third largest in western Iowa. Beron compared the proposed design of CCSD’s new transportation facility to other recent projects, saying it is not just the Carroll district facing a high price tag.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
It was mentioned if the district could justify spending $15 million to save from purchasing a $160,000 bus every three years. Community members asked if research was looked into on how much insurance premiums, water, and utility bills would be with a structure three times the size of the original facility, which needs to be taken into account with the overall cost. Timothy Oswald, a public finance specialist for Piper Sandler, says the district plans to use the money saved from the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund, which is used for infrastructure needs or property tax relief, and enter a 20-year general obligation bond. Oswald says the district receives around 2.2 million dollars yearly for SAVE funding revenue, which would be more than enough to support this project.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
A question about Adams Elementary School was raised, asking if the district plans to build a new facility when that building is no longer usable. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says the transportation facility does not put a hold on other infrastructure projects for the future.
Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio
The CCSD administrators and board members thank those who came to the meeting to express concerns and ask questions. The district has yet to reach a final decision but appreciates the community feedback, as the board wishes to pursue the best possible solution to serve the school’s students and staff. The schedule is to tentatively make the final decision by next month, with the construction phase beginning before the school year starts.