Maple Dale-Indian Hill wrapping up capital improvements

Fox Point - In the new year, Maple Dale-Indian Hill school officials plan to wrap up a $4 million capital improvement project that began nearly three years ago. The work is being funded through referendum dollars.

The School Board last week voted to borrow $500,000 for school facilities and technological upgrades. In April 2009, voters approved a referendum authorizing $4 million toward the initiative. To date, $3.5 million has been borrowed.

"A favorable construction atmosphere, resulting in very competitive bidding, has kept us well within our budgeted plans and provided future options," Business Administrator Gary Swalve said.

When the referendum was pitched to the community nearly three years ago, district officials said the money would go toward a number of projects, including roofing work at Maple Dale and Indian Hill schools, retrofitting light fixtures, boiler and carpet replacements at Maple Dale and new equipment to conserve on water. Technology efforts included rewiring at both schools.

Jim Beckmann, director of buildings and grounds, said he and other district staff will review the projects list in January.

"By the February (school) board meeting, I should have a fairly comprehensive list," he said.

Swalve said the borrowing will follow a standard competitive bidding process.

Prior to passage of the April 2009 referendum, district officials said Maple Dale-Indian Hill faced the prospect of closing down in a few years because income from such sources as taxes was rapidly being outpaced by rising expenses. A second question that also passed authorized adding an additional $800,000 annually to the district's revenue limit calculation.

"This has allowed us to not only balance our 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 budget, but to also return approximately $1 million to our general fund balance and to once again establish our district's financial security," Swalve said.