The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education continues to develop plans for proposed facility updates during their work session Monday night. Over a year ago, school officials started the talk of facility updates district-wide. DLR Group, an architecture company out of Omaha, Neb. hired to complete a broad study and help officials find a potential starting point. The school board discussed multiple options and agreed the best place to start would be the transportation facility. Board Member Karen Friedlein says the bus barn appears to be the clear place to begin.
The board discussed two main funding options for the project. One is to bring a general obligation bond referendum to voters or use Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funds. The bond would lead to tax increases; however, SAVE would not because it is funding already being allocated to the district. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau explains there are limits on how SAVE funds can be used.
Initial estimates indicate the project could cost anywhere between $6 to $14 million for just the new bus barn. The board appeared to favor using SAVE funds for the proposed project but did not take formal action Monday night. Berlau says a public hearing must occur before they can use SAVE or go after a general obligation bond. If the school board decides on a bond, it will be put on a special election ballot. However, if SAVE funds are used, the public can sign a petition at the public hearing sending it to a vote.
