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Superintendent: PSFA recommends local-match reduction for Cliff schools; district to pay roughly $6 million
Summary
Superintendent Hawkins told the board the Public Schools Finance Authority and PSCOC recommended a local-match reduction for the Cliff schools project, citing an estimated project cost of $54,108,200 and a reduced local contribution of about $6 million, with the state covering most remaining costs; the district will proceed to RFP and design work.
Superintendent Hawkins told the Silver Consolidated Schools board on Dec. 16 that the Public Schools Finance Authority (PSFA) and the Public School Capital Outlay Council (PSCOC) recommended a local-match reduction for the planned Cliff schools project, potentially shifting most construction costs to state funding.
Key figures and the board implications: Hawkins said the total project cost was estimated at roughly $54,108,200. Under the PSFA recommendation the district’s local match for phases 1 and 2 would be reduced to about $6,000,000, with the state contributing approximately $46,000,000 if the district meets PSFA/PSCOC requirements. Hawkins characterized the outcome as a substantial leverage of state dollars against local bond funds and said the board had already set aside $7,000,000 in a prior bond cycle for phase 1 and partial local-match obligations.
What the district will do next: Hawkins described the immediate next steps as commissioning design work and issuing an RFP for an architectural firm to develop phase‑1 design and construction documents. Phase 2 would follow after the district returns to PSCOC with a request for construction funding, possibly as an out‑of‑cycle submission. He said the district expects to set up a task force or similar working group to guide scope and community engagement.
Timeline estimate: Hawkins said planning, design and procurement timelines have many variables but estimated a plausible range of 9 to 18 months for phase‑1 design work, saying, "I would say about a year to 18 months," depending on RFP speed and the design process.
Community context and finance tradeoffs: Hawkins emphasized the district’s community engagement and the potential to stretch local dollars further by leveraging state funds. He noted that some previously planned local projects (roofing and fire-alarm work) will need re-budgeting because of changes in local match calculations, and that district staff will keep the community informed throughout the multi‑year project.
Board reaction and next procedural steps: Board members responded with congratulations and questions about timing. No formal action was required at the Dec. 16 meeting; Hawkins said staff would return with procurement documents, design proposals and updated financial implications for board approval as the project advances.
