Atlantic Community School District outlines roughly $40 million facilities plan and three Nov. 4 ballot questions

Atlantic Community School District officials told a town-hall audience Oct. 22 that a district master facility plan has identified about $40 million in high-priority renovations and additions and that voters will decide three related measures on Nov. 4.

The board’s public presentation said the package is split into a $22.5 million general-obligation bond to cover classroom renovations and building additions, an $18.5 million use of local ‘‘save’’ sales-tax proceeds to fund a proposed multi-purpose practice facility, and a revenue purpose statement the legislature requires for districts that want local control over saved sales-tax dollars. “Total project cost [is] close to $40 million,” the presenter said during the community meeting.

Why it matters: officials said the work is meant to address overcrowding at Washington Elementary, update aging mechanical and instructional spaces, improve building security and create flexible classrooms and CTE lab space at the high school and Schuler Middle. The presentation framed improvements as intended to support the district’s goals of one year’s academic growth for every student and better daily attendance by offering safer, more modern learning environments.

What’s included: presenters walked the audience through conceptual drawings of Washington Elementary (including a proposed kindergarten/first-grade wing and improved circulation), Schuler Middle (a secure main entrance and a combined commons/skywalk) and the high school (classroom reconfigurations, updated CTE and a repurposed media center). Coaches and community members contributed concepts for a multi-purpose practice facility with three full-size courts, locker rooms, a weight/training room and a turf area to support athletics and community events.

Financing and voter rules: the board said the general-obligation bond (the measure that would affect property taxes) requires 60% approval; the sales-tax allocation and the revenue purpose statement require a simple majority. The district’s financial adviser presented modeled scenarios and used a 4.3% interest-rate example and a 20-year target term as a planning assumption, while cautioning that rates and timing affect total cost. The presenters told listeners they expect roughly $1.8–$2.0 million annually from the penny sales tax and that the board plans to use roughly $1.4 million yearly to pay debt service if it bonds against a portion of those proceeds and to reserve about $600,000–$800,000 for maintenance.

Tax impact illustration: presenters displayed sample calculations and levy history and urged homeowners to use the district’s interactive bond website to estimate personal impact. In the presentation’s illustrative example the adviser showed an additional illustrative tax of about $46 annually on a $100,000 valuation under one scenario; presenters emphasized that estimates are interactive and depend on final design, interest rates and timing.

Timing and next steps: officials said that if voters approve the measures, the district would proceed this school year to detailed design and community input, hire architects and begin phased construction — possibly starting with work that can be staged away from occupied classrooms. Town halls and information resources remained scheduled in the week before the election to answer resident questions.

Quotes: the presenter summarized the package’s purpose as, “we want our buildings safe and secure” and to “modernize to meet the 21st-century learning needs.” The schoolboard president said the board’s priority is readiness: “my part is to make sure that our school district is ready to accommodate whatever students are here because we love them all.”

What to watch for: the district advised voters to review the bond referendum webpage and attend the remaining town halls. The G.O. bond needs a 60% yes vote to pass; the sales-tax allocation and the revenue purpose statement require a simple majority. If the revenue purpose statement fails, presenters said the state would allocate the saved funds without local direction until the district can put a measure on a future ballot.