Photo: Hancock Public Schools

HANCOCK – Hancock Public Schools has announced an upcoming Town Hall meeting to discuss details of a bond proposal dedicated to updating the district’s school buildings. The bond proposal will appear on the November 4 ballot.

Superintendent Chris Salani said that while the proposal is worded as a referendum, in essence it is a renewal. “It’s a renewal on debts that we’ve been carrying from our previous bonds,” he said. “This stems back from the two bonds that we had from the high school and the middle school, back in 1999 and again in 2000, respectively, when those bonds came out.”

Those were refinanced, twice, Salani said, now with the levy where it is, the school district has the capacity to extend the life of the current debt for an additional 15 years.

The proposed referendum would fund essential updates to aging school buildings and support student learning.

If passed, the funding would include upgrades to the elementary, middle and high school buildings’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with electrical and wiring, boiler replacement, upgrades in classroom furniture to support group work, flexible seating and modern learning. In the middle/high school building, restrooms would be renovated for ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliance.

Also included would be replacement of windows, exterior doors, as well as improvements to the high school track, including improving drainage and resurfacing.

According to the district’s website, the bond will not increase current tax rates. The bond is structured to maintain existing tax levels, while reducing everyday operating costs and future emergency repairs.

The proposal breaks down funding allocation as follows:

• 61% HVAC, boilers, lighting and electrical;

• 18% exterior infrastructure;

• 14% health, safety, security, accessibility;

• 7% learning spaces.

“Postponing these updates would lead to potentially higher future costs do to inflation, possible system failures,, and missed energy efficiency savings,” the website states.

“The district has a unique opportunity to extend payments and invest in additional district needs. In fact, taxpayers will see no mill increase over the prior year’s levy, all while addressing critical updates.”

The plan, says the website, was informed by the work of a 7-member community task force that met regularly, toured school buildings, and reviewed facility assessments and financial information. Combined with district-wide survey, staff input, and expert guidance, this process helped the School Board shape a proposal that aligns with Hancock’s Strategic Plan.

The elementary school is 36 years old high school is 26 years old. In both buildings the heating and windows are outdated, inefficient, and no longer meet today’s safety and energy standards.

Salani said the upcoming informative meeting is for the school district to provide details on the proposal and its goals, and to answer questions district residents may have.

The Town Hall meeting is scheduled from 6-7 p.m. for Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Sylvia J. Eskola Auditorium, in the Hancock High/Middle School building, at 501 Campus Drive.