The Hinton Times - Friday, June 7, 2024
May 30, 2024 - Almost 40 community members gathered at the Community Center with the Hinton Community School District School Board to partake in their public forum regarding the latest school developments. Once the regular meeting items were concluded so opened the engagement session and discussion led by moderator Mr. Steve Diediker.
Superintendent Ken Slater shared in a detailed powerpoint the results of the community-wide survey that led to the previously failed PPEL vote and two bond referendums. The questions posed for the referendums came after a community advisory board reviewed the analysis completed by SitelogIQ, a third party company specializing in developing comprehensive facility solutions. The survey showed overall support for improvements in two main scopes: the physical infrastructure and the safety of the students. Included in the infrastructure discussion were improvements to the HVAC system for air quality, roof repairs, exterior repairs, and the boiler. Student safety was addressed by considering the redesigning and securing the front entryway as well as a reformation of the parking lots, driveways, and drop-off zones.
Feedback provided by the community was the referendum questions were too lengthy and easily misunderstood and the tax impact was either misunderstood or it posed too large of an increase for individual voters to approve it. With the difficult context of the questions, poll workers experienced their own frustration at the limit which they are able to aid, which of course is essentially none. While the questions themselves are bound by specific legal parameters, the district is looking to simplify the question(s) moving forward. Ideally, there would only be one question that encompasses all the necessary components come the November vote.
Phase I currently underway (*primary renovations, **interconnected renovations):
Improve classroom ventilation*
Dehumidification and cooling*
Better temperature controls*
Asbestos abatement**
Casework replacement**
Ceiling, flooring, and lighting replacement**
Electrical distribution upgrades**
Phase II (which could be voted on in the November 2024 election):
Potential Infrastructure Improvements:
Window replacement
Secure entry
New west drive parking and bus/car drop off
West entry to the building
Science and CTE rooms
Adding an additional elementary special education classroom
Boiler improvements
Stem and hot water replacement
Roofing areas A & C (as determined by SitelogIQ)
Exterior door replacements
1922 building floor replacements
Reseal building
Refinish exterior of 1956 additional
Phase III:
Infrastructure
Add classrooms
Extracurricular improvements
Gymnasium/Locker rooms
Outdoor complex improvements
Handicap access
Fine arts - stage, lighting, & potential auditorium
TAX IMPACT
Current: There is a levy for $1.68 that is linked to a previously passed bond. Based on the assessment of the average home cost in Hinton to be $250,000, homeowners pay $15.54 per month for this tax levy. This bond expires May 1, 2025.
Future: If the proposed bond referendum passes in November 2024, there would be no overlap with the aforementioned levy. The levy would become $2.70, a $1.02 increase. With the same home assessment, homeowners would now pay approximately $24.98 per month, a $9.44 increase. This would go into effect July 1, 2025 for the fiscal year 2026.
When the board was asked what happens if the referendum does not pass in November, it was shared they plan to continue working to improve what needs to be improved. School Board President Kyle Hoefling stated, “The staff will still do the best job to educate the students.” It was added by one board member if we fail to chip away at infrastructure projects now and putting money back in, consolidation is a very real possibility. Hinton Community School District is ranked 11th most affluent district in the state which makes them an attractive partner to neighboring districts.
The district will be holding another meeting on June 17th at 7:00pm where an additional question/answer session will be open for community members.
The meeting concluded with a call to action by moderator Mr. Diediker. He encouraged those present to share the information with their neighbors. “We all need to become educated voters.”
Hinton Community School District School Board members partaking in the community forum on May 30, 2024. [The Hinton Times photo]