STRONG SCHOOLS.
STRONG COMMUNITIES.
STRONG COMMUNITIES.
NEWS RELEASE
REFERENDUM 2023 RESULTS: COMMUNITY REJECTS BOND REFERENDUM QUESTION
ROCKWELL, IA – November 7, 2023
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, voters in the West Fork Community School District rejected the bond referendum question on the special election ballot. Following the vote, the unofficial election results are 564 YES (59.68%) and 381 NO (40.32%).
Superintendent Mike Kruger expressed his appreciation for the community's engagement:
"We are grateful to all community members that participated on the Community Advisory Committee and the voters who participated in the bond referendum. While the outcome wasn't what we had hoped for, we thank the community for being involved in this important decision-making process."
The West Fork Community School District remains committed to exploring avenues to address the continued needs of our school facilities.
The West Fork Community School District calls for an election on November 7, 2023, to authorize general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $16,865,000 for site improvements in both the Elementary and High School buildings.
BALLOT QUESTION
TO THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WEST FORK COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTIES OF CERRO GORDO, FRANKLIN, HANCOCK, AND WRIGHT, STATE OF IOWA:
We, the undersigned, are eligible electors, reside within the School District and petition the Board of Directors of the School District to call an election to submit to the voters of the School District the following public measure the purpose of which cannot be accomplished within the limit of one and one-quarter percent of the assessed value of the taxable property within the School District:
Shall the Board of Directors of the West Fork Community School District in the Counties of Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, and Wright, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $16,865,000 to provide funds to remodel, repair, and improve the HVAC and electrical systems at the Rockwell elementary building and the Sheffield middle school / high school building, including related remodeling and improvements; to replace roof sections at both facilities; to replace horizontal runs of the domestic water system piping at the Sheffield facility; and to add a secure entrance at the Sheffield facility?
THE PROJECTS
Health, Safety, and Security
Create a safe and secure check-in entryway at the high school.
Remove asbestos materials where present.
Learning Environments
Upgrade outdated lighting fixtures to LED.
Upgrade ventilation and HVAC systems to enhance air quality and to provide consistent, comfortable temperature control.
Building Improvements
Replace roofing at both schools.
Replace the 1930 and 1954 domestic water piping systems in the elementary school.
Upgrade boiler controls at the elementary school.
Upgrade gymnasium HVAC systems at both schools.
PHOTO GALLERY
Improve secure entry to include check-in
Moss on roof - sign of moisture and poor drainage
Original domestic water piping has exceeded its life expectancy
Upgrading boiler controls will heat buildings better and save energy
Gymnasium HVAC system will provide more consistent temperature control during school and events
Efficient LED lighting in classrooms will improve the learning environment and help reduce electrical costs
Upgrade ventilation and HVAC systems will enhance air quality and to provide consistent, comfortable temperature control
CONCEPTUAL PLANS
OF THE SECURE ENTRANCE AND CHECK-IN
OPEN HOUSE
INFO NIGHTS
INFO NIGHTS
6:00-8:00 P.M.
These are open house style events.
Superintendent Mike Kruger will give a short presentation at 6:00pm and 7:00pm.
You are invited to take a self guided tour of the building and ask questions regarding the November 7, 2023 Bond Referendum question!
Wednesday,
October 4, 2023
October 4, 2023
Rockwell Campus
210 S. 2nd Street
Rockwell, IA
Wednesday,
October 11, 2023
October 11, 2023
Sheffield Campus
(enter through Door E)
504 Park Street
Sheffield, IA
DID YOU KNOW?
Maintaining School Infrastructure
Maintaining school infrastructure is crucial for safety, quality education, community engagement, and efficient operations. It extends facility lifespan, ensures compliance, and supports environmental responsibility, benefiting students, staff, and the community for many years to come.
The air handling units at both schools are original to the buildings and have been in use for almost 70 years. Unit life expectancy is 30 years.
The CO2 levels in the majority of the elementary and middle/high school buildings are designated as marginal CO2 level, with four classrooms falling into the dysfunctional level. CO2 levels can have a negative impact on cognitive performance.
The outdated HVAC and boiler controls have made it extremely difficult to regulate temperatures and comfort levels within both buildings. Updating these will allow for efficient climate control and enhance the teaching and learning environments.
Secure Entrance and Check-in
Currently, when visitors are buzzed in, they can continue anywhere in the high school building.
An updated safe and secure entry would require all visitors to check in with the office staff in person before being allowed access to the school.
This way, we can be sure that only visitors we approve have access to our buildings.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
OCT 2022
Comprehensive Facilities Assessment conducted by SitelogIQ to assess physical, educational, and functional needs.
JAN 2023
Facility Assessment Review is presented to the school board and District administration.
FEB 2023
Board comprehensive review including prioritizations, project scenarios, potential costs.
MAR 2023
The Community Facility Advisory Committee is formed. They review data from the Assessment Review phase, tours the facilities, learns more about District finances and has an opportunity to provide input, feedback, opinions and vision.
JUN-AUG 2023
Community-wide survey begins followed by a report of results to the School Board.
School Board begins workshopping potential facility solutions and projects.
AUG 2023
The School Board passes a resolution committing to move forward with a November 7, 2023 Referendum.
Community Voice:
Critical Input for District Facility Planning
Critical Input for District Facility Planning
Community Advisory Committee
To ensure future facility decisions make sense for students, are fiscally responsible, and have community support, the West Fork School Board requested that a Community Advisory Committee be formed to focus on West Fork facilities and to provide insight and input as the board plans for the future of our schools.
From June 29 – July 19, 2023, the Community Facility Advisory Committee, composed of 25 volunteer community members who represented a cross section of the community, met five weeks in a row, investing over 12 hours of their time doing the following:
Extensive tour of the buildings
Examined facility engineering assessments
Learned about Iowa school financing, the District’s current financial position, and funding options from the District’s financial consultant
Studied district demographics and enrollment information
Reviewed facility improvement options
Community-wide Survey
Between June 29 - July 19, 332 West Fork CSD residents completed a survey about their thoughts regarding district facility planning.
This community-wide survey was an extension of the work being done by the Community Facility Advisory Committee, our staff, and district leadership. YOUR INPUT WAS HEARD AND IS VALUED!