Construction paid for without selling bonds

ALMIRA — Formerly vandalized Almira/Coulee-Hartline High School is being replaced with a brand new facility, and the state is picking up 90 percent of the construction tab.

District Superintendent Edward Fisk said the district's application to the state for matching funds was approved to cover most of cost of construction. The district does not plan to ask the public for any bonds to build the new school.

"We're pretty excited about this because I believe it's the first one in the state that's ever been granted at the 90 percent level to build a co-operational school," said Fisk.

State superintendent's office spokesperson Thomas Shapley said while other types of co-ops, such as transportation and skills centers, received matches at the 90 percent level, this is the first time anyone at the state knows of a match of this extent to construct a school in recent years.

"As far as for a co-op to build a high school or for basic school construction, this is the first one in recent memory, 10 to 15 years," Shapley said.

Fisk anticipated the district receiving $4.5 million from the state. The cost of construction is unknown at this point, but Fisk said the district would pay more than 10 percent of the total costs because some costs are not covered by the state, including fees, site work and legal costs.

If everything falls into place, Fisk said a new school could be open by fall 2008, but he is not expecting it.

Fisk is hoping the school can be constructed with the state match, a $1 million Paul Lauzier Grant paid over ten years and an insurance payment for vandalism of the gym in 2005.

Vandals broke into the school during Thanksgiving break and turned on fire hoses during a burglary. Two teens were arrested in January in connection with the vandalism, which caused close to $300,000 in water and theft damages.

A settlement with the district's insurance company is expected to be reached in January. Negotiations are ongoing.

"We don't anticipate needing to have a bond," Fisk said.