Blackhawk School District
Goals:Quality & Value
Opportunities for success for ALL
students
OBJECTIVE
A. Current debt will be paid in 2010
B. Tax rate is 48.63 milsi. Ranks 9th lowest out of 14
School Districts
I. Financial
C. Revenue increase average is 2% per year since 2000
i. Our expenses increased an average of 3.99% since 2004
ii. Our budgets have been balanced with $2.5 million from the fund balance
iii. Revenue has not kept pace with our expenses
Financial continued
D. Gaming Money
i. Pa. authorized (14) fourteen casino licenses. Revenues from the casinos would be used to reduce property taxes. To date (6)six casinos have opened.
ii. The purpose of gaming money was to offset property tax increases for qualified Homestead/Farmsteads.
Financial Continued
iii. There are 4926 Homesteads in Blackhawk School District. At our current rate of 48.63, and considering the average $170 reduction from gaming money,
only (30) thirty of those 4926 homes in the Blackhawk School District will pay an increase for 2008-2009.
Financial continued
E. Median Assessment in Blackhawk School District is 26,450
i. That homeowner paid $1,219.00 in 2007-2008 school taxes. The increase of 1.73 mils for 2008-2009 increased the taxes for that median homeowner $45.00 to $1,264, less the $170.00 reduction from gaming, resulted in a net gain of $125.00. ii. 4,896 of the 4,926 Homestead/Farmsteads will NOT see an increase and most will realize a net reduction in 2008-2009
Financial Continued
This process began in 2004 to assess facility needs. We have reviewed, studied and costed out every possible option given the current condition of our schools, the number of campuses, class size, curriculum, facilities, cost of operation for (5) five locations, arts and co-curricular needs and NCLB and PSSA mandates.
II. Our Due Diligence
A. Enrollment for 2008-2009 is 2,688, plus 75 in Cyber Charter Schoolsi. Enrollment will decline slightly
over the next (4) years. ii. State estimates that in 2012,
enrollment will be at 2,615, a reduction of 74 students
III. Findings
B. Age of Buildings
Blackhawk High School Built in 1972Patterson Built in 1969Highland M.S. Built in 1959Northwestern Built in 1957B.I.S. Built in 1921
(remodeled in 1959 & 1992)
Findings continued
C. Debt from Blackhawk Intermediate School will be retired in 2010
D. Older buildings are more costly to operateHighland and Northwestern have not been updated
E. Taxes in Blackhawk are relatively low and affordable, compared to neighboring districts
F. Current gaming revenue is $170/year. Not all casinos are opened yet. As the remaining (8) eight casinos open, gaming revenue will increase as will property tax relief.
Findings continued
◦ Our greatest issues/concerns are Highland Middle School and Blackhawk High School repairs, aligning the curriculum and lack of space for arts programs and co-curricular activities.
◦ The best way we can serve our district is with a long term plan that will meet the needs of the students and taxpayers.
◦ Our goal is to be cost effective and increase the quality of education, thus providing the best overall educational experience.
Conclusions
Tonight this Board will have to decide on the question before us. We have (2) two choices:
Do we continue to put money into our (5) five facilities?
Do we construct new? What will we have in the future considering
both options?
Conclusions continued
Tonight we have 2 choices:
We are still left with 5 aging schools
Grades 6-12 are taken care of for many years to come
10 million bond issue◦ 2 million has already been spent
1.4 million for fire suppression and alarms 600,000 fees
• 8 million remains for the estimated 28 million needed to upgrade and repair Highland Middle School and Blackhawk High School
That remaining 8 million will only cover 29% of the necessary repairs.
Results are:
No alignment of curriculum8th grade still at High SchoolNo enhancements to the Arts/Co-Curricular ProgramsNO REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE STATE
40 million dollar bond issue◦ We get new construction at the high
school, built on our current enrollment and not adding the 10%
◦ New gymnasium for our students◦ New, and more secure entrance to the H.S.◦ All necessary upgrades to the High School◦ Alignment of the curriculum◦ More opportunities for our Middle School
Students◦ Energy Savings◦ Enhanced Arts Programs◦ The ability to take the projected costs and
utilize “Value Engineering” to minimize overall costs of this project
◦ GET STATE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT
A new Middle School (6th-7th-8th) and 9th grade academy and needed repairs to Blackhawk High School that meets all academic needs and enhancements for Arts and Co-Curricular activities for grades 6-12
This proposal offers to balance quality, health and safety, energy efficiency, a better learning environment, expanded and enhanced curriculum, facilities for Arts and Co-Curricular activities versus costs.
Proposed Resolution
With consolidation comes cost savings. We MUST provide our teachers and
administration with the best possible environment and tools to perform their job.
We MUST provide every student with the best opportunity to succeed. It is our job!
Proposed Resolution Continued
1. Maintains and even increases the value of our homes
2. It enhances the quality of life in our community
3. Provides a great sense of pride in the accomplishment of OUR students
4. Provides opportunities for financial aid through scholarships for Arts, Academics and Co-Curricular Activities
The Value of a Quality School District
1. Strong and evolving academic programs
2. Co-Curricular Activities3. Facilities
What will attract new families and keep our current students?
% Increase Tax Year Millage Increase
3.7% 2008 1.73 mils
6% 2009 2.95 mils
5.1% 2010 2.62 mils
2.8% 2011 1.52 mils
2012-2037 1.7 mils over 25 years
What will this cost the taxpayers “IF VOTED ON”? Based on estimates from Bond Council for $40 million (using $220,000 as a Collectible mil), the estimated revenue needed for the project would be:
These figures assume no cost savings from energy
updates, consolidation and staff re-alignment.
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2012
2011-2012
Median Home
46.9 mils 48.63 mils
51.58 mils
54.2 mils 55.72 mils
Yearly taxes
$1,219.00 $1,264.00 $1,340.00 $1,408.00 $1,448.00
Gaming Reduction
$170.00 $170.00 $170.00 $170.00
Net Taxes with increase
$1,094.00 $1,170.00 $1,238.00 $1,278.00
Decrease/Increase
$125.00 decrease
$49.00 decrease
$19.00 increase
$59.00 increase
Bottom Line “Dollars and Sense”
These figures assume no increase in gaming money
or cost reductions.
The median Blackhawk Taxpayer will realize a 4 year “positive total of $96.00” after any tax increases by offsetting the increases with the reductions from gaming revenue.
Cumulative Results
In 2011, the median homeowner will actually pay $1,278.00 in school taxes.◦Annual Increase of only $59.00 from today’s taxes
◦It equals only $4.92/monthProjected Rates will keep our district’s tax rates in
the bottom third of the county, while our facilities and achievements remain at the top.
Cumulative Results Continued
Blackhawk taxpayers will realize even more returns from gaming revenue as more casinos open.
Blackhawk School District will experience cost savings from consolidation and energy upgrades.
Other factors in the future could generate additional increases to General Revenues, such as the sale of the Highland property.
Further Assumptions
One of two things will occur
◦1. A “NAY” vote AND THIS Board will go back to the drawing board and reassess allocation of the balance of the 10 million dollar bond issue.
◦2. A “YES” vote begins the process of bidding out the project, with the final vote to occur in December, ONLY AFTER this Board has the final figures.
Tonight’s Vote:Resolution to construct new
