Farmington planning school enhancements
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
FARMINGTON – The Farmington School Board on Monday took another step toward facilitating projects designed to enhance and maintain school facilities.
The board voted to approve a resolution for the sale and issuance of no more than $8 million in debt certificates for the purpose of improving and repairing district facilities.
Farmington Superintendent Zac Chatterton said the district tax rate would not increase as a result of the bond issuance. Chatterton said the bonds are a continuance of enhancement bonds issued in 2018, for which the district still owes $2.6 million. Due to an expected 6.6% increase in the district’s equalized assessed value of properties, the tax rate does not have to be increased to make larger bond payments.
The actual tax paid by landowners, however, does increase due to the rise in EAV, which last year in the district went up by 6.5%.
Earlier this month, the school district held three open houses to discuss the bond issue and plans for the funds raised. At that time, the proposal called for an estimated $3 million in maintenance projects and another $7 million in new construction and renovation work.
That’s why the action item on Monday’s agenda was for up to $10 million in bonds. After considerable discussion, though, President Alex Slack proposed amending the total to $8 million. The amended resolution passed 5-2, with members Eric Stanley and Keith Depperman voting no.
“I’m not against these projects, but I just think ultimately the taxpayers should get to say yes or no,” Stanley said.
Depperman said several times that he thought the board should lower the tax burden on people. That appeared to resonate with other members in voting for the amended $8 million total.
Ultimately, board members said benefits outweigh the increased expense for taxpayers. Board Member Dustin Blunier said the increase on his tax bill would be $80 per year.
“When I look at the long-term value of these projects, I think $80 is worth it,” Blunier said. “I don’t think that’s a big ask.”
Chatterton said maintenance items include several projects to be done in the short term: $1.3 to $1.5 million to replace flat roofs; $900,000 for new lights for football, baseball and softball fields; and $100,000 to $200,000 for track resurfacing.
Other possible maintenance projects over the next five years are replacing a chiller for $450,000 and up to $200,000 to replace a boiler.
A list of eight enhancement items were also presented to community members during the open houses and a pecking order among those projects is emerging, Chatterton said.
He said there was no community support expressed for updating four entryway canopies to the senior high, junior high, elementary school and administrative offices. Cutting those would save $1.06 million.
“That doesn’t benefit the kids and the price seems exorbitant,” Chatterton said.
Beyond that, Chatterton said the board will be tasked with selecting among bids for the following projects:
• Cafeteria and commons renovations for the elementary and junior and senior high schools, $2.19 million.
• A junior high research center and outdoor learning center, $1.07 million.
• Renovations to Gym C and Gym D, $290,919.
• A center for alternative-learning students currently being sent to Peoria or Canton, $816,365.
• Band and chorus renovations, $259,583.
• Construction of a softball and baseball hitting facility with room for a golf simulator, $1.26 million.
• An indoor play and recreation area for elementary students, $206,274.
Those projects total $6.1 million, meaning the board must pare at least $1.1 million in the months and years to come.
“We have a long runway,” Chatterton said. “The whole span would take us three years if we were to do all of these.”
Chatterton said seeking staff input is a next step in the process.
Based on feedback from open houses and board responses Monday, there is strong support for the cafeteria renovations, the junior high research center and the alternative-learning center.
One ongoing subject not discussed Monday is providing a football field for the Farmington JFL program. Chatterton said he is working with other public entities and still plans to take care of them.
In other business, the board approved a 2024 tax levy of $8,418,326 with a rate of 4.585. Chatterton said the rate is among the lowest of 20 districts in Peoria County.
The board also approved the 2024-25 course catalog and hiring Allysia Vaultonburg as a long-term Spanish and business substitute teacher, Chesney Koenig as a student facilitator for the rest of the 2024-25 school year and Mindie Sollenberger as a cafe worker. Resignations were accepted from Lily Mendez as girls track coach and Marcus Nelms as a bus driver.
Honored as junior high students of the month were sixth graders Lucy Wilson and Devion Taylor, seventh graders Onna McDermet and Brayden Melz and eighth graders Ashlyn Brewer and Charles Evans.
Honored as high school students of the month were senior Abbie Ackers, junior Brayden Nickle, sophomore Lucinda Depperman and freshman Haven McMaster.
Orange Frog honorees were Chrisi Garlish, registrar and grant coordinator, and nurse Kristin Vallas.
Also honored were members of the 12-1 semifinalist football team and junior high state cross country meet qualifier Addison Martin.
