RSU 4 to pursue SRRF application for secure vestibule at Libby Tozier

The RSU 4 Board of Directors agreed informally to proceed with drafting a School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) application for a secure entrance and vestibule at Libby Tozier School after a presentation on repair priorities and funding options.

The step will ask Herriman and Associates to prepare a formal application and cost estimate; the firm will return to the board with a definitive proposal so the board can vote on submission. "We'd be working within the confines of the school," Jamie from Herriman said when asked whether the project would require an addition.

Why it matters: Libby Tozier serves the district's youngest students and the board and administrators flagged building security and entry control as priorities after prior consolidation and capital studies. The secure-entrance option discussed would also include hardening doors and adding an administrative transaction window, door notifications and upgraded door release controls.

During the meeting, presenters and board members reviewed three SRRF-eligible options the district had considered: an indoor-air-quality/ventilation project (rough order of magnitude $560,000), ADA work for classroom sinks and casework (about $300,000), and a secure entrance/vestibule (about $775,000). The presenters said state SRRF funding typically covers a large share; the board learned the district's share would be roughly 40% of the project cost under current estimates.

Board business manager Sam gave illustrative repayment numbers for the district's portion: for the 40% share of each option, the district's roughly $111,000 obligation for the $300,000 ADA option would translate to about $11,000 per year over 10 years (or about $22,000 over five years); the indoor-air-quality option would produce a larger annual payment because of the larger total cost. For the $775,000 secure-entrance estimate, staff indicated the district's share would be roughly $287,000 and estimated it could be spread over five or 10 years depending on thresholds the state uses.

Board members pressed for clarity on how recent window and envelope work would coordinate with the vestibule design so as not to make recent work obsolete. Herriman's representatives said they would coordinate with the contractor on the window/envelope work to avoid duplication.

The board did not take a binding vote that night. Instead, members signaled consensus to have Herriman prepare the formal SRRF application materials and cost refinements and to return those materials for a formal board vote (agenda item) on Oct. 20. If awarded, the district would still need to complete a voter referendum step before proceeding with construction, where applicable.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the secure-entrance/vestibule estimate shown to the board was $775,000; presenters noted that an SRRF award typically covers a large percentage (presenters said the district's estimated share would be roughly 40% in current calculations). The district has already spent $8,500 on preliminary Herriman work; the full not-to-exceed fee for completing the SRRF application was presented as up to $20,000, which could be rolled into the project cost if the district were awarded funds.