As has been the case for scores of school districts throughout Wisconsin, the Stoughton Area School District has had it's share of financial challenges in recent years - mostly stemming from declining student enrollment, the state funding formula and revenue caps. So far, the administration has handled the shortfalls with a lot of proactive planning, closing Yahara Elementary School after the conlsusion of the current school year) and re-evaluating some budgeting priorities. Despite those measures, district administrators continue to struggle to find ways to handle the next round of big-ticket items that have the potential to wreak havoc on a nicely balanced budget. With a little more than $1 million in planned or anticipated projects scheduled for the next budget cycle, here's a breakdown of the projects the district has forecasted - and how it will pay for them:
Collins Field
The price tag: $93,850
The details: The 23-year-old, six-lane track at Stoughton High School is past its life expectancy and is deteriorating to the point it can't be utilized after this track season.
In 2004, the Stoughton Sport Boosters Collins Field Group discussed plans to fund-raise for a new track. While fund-raising continues, the condition of the track and a drop in oil prices have stakeholders asking the school board to help with the cost and build a new track this summer. Expanding the track is critical because WIAA sanctions state a track must be at least eight lanes for competition. That means Stoughton currently cannot host any WIAA tournaments or competitions. Plans for the field include:
* Expanding the track from six lanes to eight;
* Widening the soccer field;
* Updating the lighting and sound systems (the sound system replacement was accomplished);
* Relocating the jumps/pits for safety;
* Replacing old fencing;
* Repairing the drainage system beneath the field; and
* Enlarging the press box and updating it to accommodate AV taping, sports media and radio for events.
How the district will pay for it: The Board of Education will vote at its first meeting in May to determine how this project will be funded. The amount could be covered potentially with funds the district stands to receive as a low-spending district, based on the Governor's proposed 2009-10 state budget. If that doesn't happen, the project shortfall could be covered by the buildings and grounds department budget, with a little priority-shifting of the following projects identified for this year: SHS interior doors; SHS ceiling replacement; Roofing repairs at SHS, River Bluff, Sandhill and AESC; Interior painting at Sandhill, River Bluff and AESC; Exterior painting at River Bluff, Sandhill; SHS sidewalk replacement.
Computer lease
The price tag: $221,868
The details: The district is purchasing two Computers on Wheels (COWs) units, equaling 60 laptops, for River Bluff. The COWs will be part of the district's first year initiative of going "wireless."
How the district will pay for it: The technology budget; part of the existing replacement cycle for computers. The $221,868 is one year's payment in a three-year lease term of $444,457.
Consolidation
The package price tag: $424,000
* These are one-time cost items, realized in the consolidation process and built into the savings from closing Yahara:
Wireless technology infrastructure
The price tag $150,000* (estimated)
The details: The cost is to outfit all district schools - as well as the administrative offices building - with wireless technology. River Bluff will be the first school to go wireless, beginning with the start of the 2009-10 school year.
Moving the Yahara school playground
The price tag $72,000
The details: There are two pieces to this project, the moving company ($22,000 est.) and groundwork associated with the move ($50,000), such as drainage and cement. The Yahara playground will be moving to Sandhill.
Remodeling work at River Bluff
The price tag $200,000 (estimated)
The details: By using an estimate of cost per-square-foot, this work includes remodeling four classroom spaces and work in the main office.
River Bluff science labs
The price tag $24,000
The details: This includes installing sinks, additional electrical outlets, counters and cabinetry in two science lab rooms.
How the district will pay for it: These two rooms are not part of the overall costs to the remodeling project, because the work is being done by qualified employees of the district (buildings and grounds dept.). By doing this in-house, the district estimates it will save about half the cost of the projected amount if it were placed out to bid.
Miscellaneous:
New telephone system
The price tag: $750,000 (estimated)
The details: The district has an outdated phone system and parts are no longer being made. The original $750,000 estimate included wireless and telephone, so this project will have to be re-evaluated. Currently administrators are looking at a state bid telephone system and exploring how that bid could impact the district's cost if it uses that provider.
How the district will pay for it: This is still unknown because the district is in the process of evaluating a state bided telephone system. It could be a one-time cost, or the payments could be divided into yearly payments. Financing is also an option, however this option incurs interest.
High School lockers
Price tag: $110,000 (estimated)
The details: The administration has determined the lockers at the high school need to be replaced.
How the district will pay for it: This could be funded through potential monies the district could see as a result of the governor's budget. Another option would be to see how it could be taken from the maintenance budget.
What administrators are saying:
"We have been fortunate that because we are a low-spending budget, there might be funds for us in the governor's budget this year," said Erica Pickett, director of business services. "If that happens, it will help us manage some of the needs we have. We've also planned enough in advance, been creative with our budgets (re-prioritizing) and have had some luck (drop in oil prices reduces the cost for asphalt to lay the track at Collins Field).
"We definitely approach everything as a team effort," continued Pickett, "and there has been a lot of good planning by a lot of good people and that has helped us manage our needs. The kids are doing well and we've been able to do it with less money per student than other districts in the state of Wisconsin. And that's something I'm really proud of."
Bus Garage
The price tag: $30,000
The details: In 2007, the older of the district's two bus garages collapsed due to heavy ice and snow that had accumulated on the roof. While most of the work is covered by the district's insurance, the district's share of the project is $30,000. This is to cover the cost of underground work (cement footings) and a portion of the engineering costs.
How the district will pay for it: Out of the buildings and grounds budget.
