Dear WSD Patrons,
The Weiser School District Board of Trustees approved a resolution calling for a Plant and Facility Levy to be held on March 14, 2023. The purpose of the levy is to replace a current eight year levy that is set to expire in June 2023, originally approved by voters in 2015.
The proposal asks voters to consider $500,000 per year for four years. The estimated cost to homeowners is expected to be approximately $59.44 per $100,000 in taxable value. The expiring levy was set at $310,000 a year and costs approximately $36.85 per $100,000 in taxable value.
If approved, these funds may ONLY be used to address plant and facility conditions.
Over the last several months a WSD Facilities Committee evaluated each District owned facility and reviewed feedback from parents, patrons, and staff to develop a list of prioritized needs at each location. Present condition and potential for increased deterioration, safety concerns, and desire for facility enhancements were considered when establishing priorities. Items were assigned a Priority number 1-3, with Priority 1 being the most pressing.
Priority 1 items include addressing the need for camera and buzzer systems at the main and secondary entrance at each school in order to allow for doors to remain monitored and locked throughout the school day; water mitigation measures intended to address issues that threaten foundations, roofs, and asphalt; measures to address failing door locks throughout buildings that cause access and safety concerns; upgrades to kitchen floors; updates to restrooms; and an evaluation of vehicle access and bus access at Pioneer School, to name a few.
The lists of priorities can be found on the WSD website at www.weiserschools.org. Priorities are subject to change as new information is considered or as new needs are identified.Â
The current estimated cost to address Priority 1 items is $787,000, while the estimated cost to address Priority 2 items is $927,500. The cost for addressing Priority 3 items is still being determined.
The committee believes existing plant and facility funds combined with a projected additional $500,000 will allow the committee to adequately address Priority 1 items as well as provide a contingency for new items or unexpected costs. The committee anticipates addressing Priority 2 items in years two and three, and then reprioritizing needs and beginning to address Priority 3 needs in year four.
Pioneer School was originally built in 1955; Park in 1956; WMS in 1980; and WHS in 1967. Each building received upgrades in 1994, and the auxiliary gym at WHS was built in 2005. The WMS gym was completed in 1938.
A public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at the Vendome in Weiser for anyone wishing to learn more and ask questions about the proposed levy. Additional information can be found on the Weiser School District website.
Respectfully,
Wade Wilson, Superintendent
