State & Local Government Pipeline

Twenty-two Michigan school districts plan bond votes for variety of uses

Twenty-two Michigan school bond issues worth a total of more than $510 million will be decided in elections in that state on May 4. The bond issues, some including more than one proposition, cover everything from new construction to furnishings to playgrounds to technology systems, equipment and more.

The largest bond election is for $68.64 million in the Fitzgerald Public Schools in Macomb County. If passed, funding would allow for erecting, equipping and furnishing a new elementary school building and additions to school buildings; remodeling, re-equipping and refurnishing school buildings, playgrounds and other facilities; preparing, developing and improving sites at school buildings, playgrounds and other facilities; and equipping and re-equipping school buildings and other facilities for technology systems and equipment.

The smallest bond issue is a $960,000 proposal that would partially remodel, furnish and refurnish, equip and re-equip the Alanson Public School building in Emmet County. It also includes purchasing, installing and equipping technology, purchasing school buses and developing and improving the site.

To view all of the 22 bond issues, the amount of bonding sought and a description of the projects to be paid for with a successful bond, click HERE and then look under "Recent Reports."

Sedona school to use solar power to cut costs
The Sedona (Arizona) Red Rock High School is planning a solar panel farm that will help the school produce about half of the energy it uses. Panels will be installed this spring to allow the school to supply 800,000 watts of power. The solar system will be paid for from the $73.5 million bond issue passed in 2007. The cost of the project is expected to be approximately $5 million. Approximately 1,000 panels will be placed on the south side of the campus, behind classroom buildings. In addition to reducing energy costs, the panels will provide an educational opportunity as well as students in science classes will be able to study solar energy and how the system works. Construction is expected to begin in May.

Detroit announces plan to help save schools
Although planning to close more than 40 schools by summer and more on the horizon, the Detroit Public Schools also have on tap a plan to create new campuses that serve students from pre-kindergarten through college. The plan calls for construction and consolidations as part of a $500.5 million bond program that will build and renovate up to 22 schools over the next three years. It recommends about $500 million worth of new schools and renovations that would come from yet another bond measure.

Wake schools to benefit from $125.8 million in bonds
Wake County, North Carolina, recently sold $125.8 million in bonds to benefit building projects in the Wake County schools and Wake Technical Community College. The local schools will get $100 million from the bonds and the community college will take $25.8 million. The bonds were approved for the public schools by county voters in November 2006 and in October 2007 for Wake Tech.

Alamo Heights ISD in Texas seeking $44 million bond approval
Trustees for the Alamo Heights Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, recently agreed to place a $44 million bond proposal on the May 8 ballot. If approved, the bond funding will pay for upgrading technology, expanding fine arts facilities, creating more parking and several renovation and maintenance projects, including the installation of solar panels on district facilities.

SUNY lines up electric projects

The State University of New York is seeking bids on replacing the campus electric substation and providing an emergency power system at its Canton campus. The project is estimated to cost between $2.5 and $5 million.

UK Medical Center to advertise for $7.9M parking garage
The University of Kansas Medical Center will soon advertise for a $7.9 million parking garage at 1913 43rd (Warehouse) in Kansas City. The projected bid date is April 20.

Building costs may allow Virginia school to build sooner
Lower-than-expected bids for new elementary and middle schools in Prince William County, Virginia, could mean a third school will be built sooner than planned. The two school bids out came in approximately $21 million lower than expected. The result is that another elementary school - in the Linton Hill area - can be built a year earlier than anticipated. The Linton Hall school was scheduled to open in 2012, but now will be opening in 2011.

Multi-million-dollar campus improvements planned in California
Approval has been given for Phase II of the master plan for campus improvements at the Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California. Groundbreaking is set for June with the projects to be completed by August of next year. Included is a new Center for the Arts and Sciences with the latest instructional technology such as Smart Board and digital camera technology, student laptops and wireless computer connectivity. The plan also calls for five new science labs for biology, chemistry and physics, a new broadcasting studio, a larger art room, advanced classroom technology, state-of-the-art band rehearsal and choral space, recording facilities, additional classroom space and a meeting room. Also included will be a Green Room for the Theater Arts Program, a work room for instrument repair, a new swimming pool, bleachers and more.

Successful bond issue will lead to building of new school
Voters in the Bamberg (S. Carolina) School District One recently approved a referendum allowing the district to borrow up to $29 million to build a new elementary school and renovate the middle and high schools. The new elementary will replace a 1937-era school that currently suffers from foundation, mold and mildew and buckled tile floors. The renovations at the other schools include new roofs, heating and air conditioning systems and kitchens.

Rocky River school bond would upgrade technology
District-wide technology and infrastructure updates would result from the passage of a $42.9 million school bond issues set for May in the Rocky River, Ohio, school district. Funds from the bond issue would also be used for additions to the high school and renovations at a primary school.

Missouri bond issue could lead to building of new school
A new middle school is planned if a successful school bond election in April passes in the Pierce City (Missouri) School District. Voters there will decide if the school district should be allowed to borrow $3.9 million to build, equip and furnish a new middle school. In the Monett School District, officials are hoping for passage of a bond issue that would allow them to borrow $4.5 million to construct, equip and furnish additional classrooms at an existing elementary school complex. That issue would connect the buildings under one roof to promote safety and security for the students. It would add 50,000 square feet of new classroom space and renovate another 30,000 square feet of current space.

Two public colleges plan to build joint nursing school
The University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College are exploring joint ownership of a new $60 million nursing school to be built in downtown Providence. The proposal must be approved by the state's General Assembly before a bond vote can be put before voters in November. What is proposed is a 21,000-square-foot building that could be under construction in 2012 and completed by 2013. The University of Rhode Island had planned a $50 million nursing school and Rhode Island College's plans were for a $30 million facility. The collaboration between the two would save millions in taxpayer dollars. Both institutions are running out of space and facilities for their nursing programs.