Email  Print  Feed

Anchorage School District to place one school bond on April 2012 ballot

The  majority of projects qualify for 60-70 percent reimbursement from the state

The district will place one bond  proposition, totaling $59 million, on the municipal election ballot slated for  April 3, 2012. The Anchorage Assembly approved the proposal at its meeting  Tuesday by a 10-1 vote.

The majority of projects proposed in  the bond package are anticipated to receive 60-70 percent debt reimbursement from the state.

The bond package includes the following:

$23.8  million for building life extension projects - The schools and projects that will benefit from  these projects were chosen based on the district’s new facility condition  index. Each school with a score of 0.30 or greater has a proposed project  to help bring the building back to its needed condition. Projects include fire  alarm upgrades, roof replacements, mechanical system and lighting upgrades, and  building and site improvements.

$23.8  million for career and technical education improvements - $14.6 million is allotted for a new  CTE structure to serve West High School and Romig Middle School. The joint  campus will also benefit from $850,000 in upgrades to existing consumer science  programs. Also included in this category is $8.3 million that will allow 11  middle and high schools to develop or enhance CTE within their schools. These  projects continue the school board’s focus to provide CTE in each middle and  high school.

$9.1  million for Service High School matching state grant - These funds are the mandatory  match in order to receive a $21 million state grant to renovate the school. The  scope of the project has been reduced following failure of two previous bond  proposals to renovate the facility.

 $2.4  million for Girdwood K-8 school design - This school currently is not in adequate condition, does not meet educational  needs and is overcrowded. Design funding will address both infrastructure  upgrades and addition of square footage for gymnasium, classrooms and support  areas.

A complete list of schools that would benefit if voters approve the bond is available online at www.asdk12.org/PR/DistrictNews/1112/2012-Bond-Supplement.pdf