Community Forum #4

April 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Ava Performing Arts Center

Talking Points
Proposition A:  New AHS Building and District Renovations

April 6, 2010

¨   Proposing a long-term solution to meet the needs of ALL students in the Ava R-1 District

§       Newly Renovated Early Childhood Center –

Ø     The current Elementary Building, after renovations, will become an Early Childhood Center.  This center will house current PAT programs, Preschool programs, Kindergarten, and 1^st Grade) classrooms.

Ø     There will be room for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. 

Ø     There will be room available for individual and small group instruction.

Ø     In the future, the added space will provide rooms for additional licensed infant care and additional preschool programs.(birth-pk) 

Ø     This will eliminate the need for the remodeled houses across from the elementary and preschool students will no longer need to cross the road to access the essential services such as the cafeteria, nurse, etc.

§       Newly Renovated, Larger Elementary School

Ø     The current Middle School, after renovations, will become the new Ava Elementary School – through grade four. 

Ø     This will allow for larger classrooms, larger library space, and additional computer labs. 

Ø     There will also be room available for individual and small group instruction. 

Ø     Splitting the elementary PK-2^nd  and 3^rd –5^th will help the cafeteria with space as well as eating schedules.  Currently students have to each lunch from 10:45 to 1:00.

§       Larger, Technologically-Advanced Middle School

Ø     Current High School will become new Ava Middle School. 

Ø     This will allow for additional classroom space, a larger library, additional computer labs and access to a full science lab. 

Ø     There will also be room available for individual and small group instruction (Reading and Math).

Ø     Middle School students would have access to a full-size, heat & air-conditioned gym with stage and sound system. 

Ø     Double current computer lab space for middle school students

§       New Construction of Ava High School Building

Ø     A new Ava High School will provide much-needed additional computer lab space, larger and updated library/media center, and additional cafeteria space. 

Ø     This will also allow the latest technology in all classrooms and help prepare our students to be competitive in college and the job market.

Ø     Double science lab space.

Ø     Double computer lab space

Ø     Much larger and updated library and media center for students

Ø     Additional cafeteria space, current cafeteria serves grades 5-12

Ø     Indoor walking facility for public use.

Ø     Improved seating (chair back sections) in new gym facility.

Ø     Better parking and traffic issues for high school students and Drury Night Classes.

§        Renovation of sports complex

Ø     The renovations would include new press box and stadium bleachers.

Ø     New restrooms for the public and concessions area

Ø     Locker room facilities built for football, baseball, and softball players, (currently no locker rooms for baseball or softball).

Ø     The track will become an all-weather track and increased to regulation size. 

Ø     Access to the sports complex and restroom facilities would also become handicap accessible. 

¨   Why build now, during an economic crunch?

Ø     The Federal government has offered special financing rates for school construction through economic stimulus money for a limited time.  The lower interest rates would save millions of dollars by taking advantage of this financial incentive. 

Ø     Construction costs are very low at this time due to the economic crunch.  This factor, too, could save additional millions by completing this project now.

The current tax levy for Ava R-I is $2.75 (the state allowed minimum).  The state recommends a $3.43 levy.  The proposed levy increase (of 78¢) would put the Ava R-I District levy just 10¢ higher than the state recommendation ($3.53). 

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