2. Repairs can be made for less than 50% of the replacement costs which means state mandates such as sprinkler systems, storm shelters, etc. do not have to be installed. The Fieldcrest High School is structurally sound. The main repairs required are new windows, rewiring, re-bricking the north side of the old gymnasium and bringing the school up to ADA compliance.
3. The cost to do these repairs can be spread over several years to lessen the financial burden. Repairs can be made during the summer to lessen or eliminate the need to have temporary class rooms.
4. The school should hire a private contractor to do annual inspections on structural issues, wiring and plumbing in order to maintain the buildings properly.
5. In the long run, education is going to change. The Fieldcrest school district enrollment has been declining over the years and that trend will continue. There is no need for more space. Eventually, online schooling utilizing digital media in virtual classrooms will become prevalent which will further reduce the need for building space.
6. Finally, the State of Illinois is broke and our school districts are fast becoming the same. There is no money for pie-in-the-sky projects. Local property tax owners are tapped out and are in no mood for expensive projects. Repairs should be made that are necessary and no more. Any board member who has faced a personal financial crisis can understand taxpayer frustration as they struggle to meet family needs while being slapped with more taxes.
If the Fieldcrest Board of Education and administration wishes to have a referendum approved by the Fieldcrest taxpayers, it will behoove them to heed the public wishes and not treat us like fools.