Why is this a good time to build a school building?

Grant-funded programs in which the State will pay for a large portion of the construction costs are extremely rare and if a school district is in need of facilities, it only makes sense to utilize our state tax dollars to help significantly reduce the costs to the school districts.

What will happen if the district does not secure matching funds?

The dollars that would have been awarded to Wesclin School District would go to another district for their construction project.

What impact will this have on my property tax rate?

The tax rate would be lower than the current rate.

Currently, the taxes paid on Wesclin debt is 45 cents per $100 on EAV, and the EAV of the district over the past ten years has an average growth of 7.1%.  Should property values increase to a level of an average of 4% a year and interest rates remain low such as at 4% or less when bonds would be sold, then the tax rate would be approximately 39.8 cents per $100 of EAV, which is less than the current tax rate.  In other words, if property values continue to increase at a modest level and interest rates remain low after a successful referendum in November the District could take advantage of the current low interest rates resulting in a lower tax rate than is currently in place because the District will have paid off most of its previous debt.  Under these circumstances, a home owner with a home that has a current value of $100,000 and now paying $150 in taxes toward the debt would be paying $133 after the passage of the referendum.

How crowded are the elementary schools?

 There are no available classrooms in the district.  New Baden Elementary currently has three sections of Kindergarten, as well as three sections of grades 4-6.  Fourth grade was moved from St. George School to New Baden Elementary two years ago because of lack of space.

If the referendum were successful, what are the plans for St. George and St. Mary's Schools?

Currently, we are paying approximately $53,000 rent for the use of both schools.  By moving 4-6 students to the current Jr/Sr High building, we would be utilizing one less building, improving efficiency.

Can community members have input into the project?

Yes, your ideas and comments will certainly be considered.  You can direct any ideas or comments to David Daum at the Wesclin Superintendent's Office at 224-7583.

How will this project benefit those students in K-3rd grade?

Currently, there are programs and strategies in place to further assist students in their academic achievement in grades K-3 through intervention processes and an emphasis on incorporation of the use of technology in the classroom setting.  As students progress through the third grade, they will have improved facilities for using and learning about technology in the 4th-6th grades, the addition of a library for a resource, and much improved physical education facilities.

What happens in the event that taxpayers vote for the bond referendum and the state does not come up with the money promised?

1. Once the district has its matching funds in place, the State will provide Wesclin with a grant award.  The state will not provide the grant award until it has the money on hand to make the payment. 

2. This program is very front loaded.  Once Wesclin awards a construction contract, the district will receive 45% of the State's share of the $13.7 million ($6.165 million).  When 50% of the project is completed, Wesclin will receive another 45% of the State's share.  In other words, the district will have 90% of what the State will pay when the project is 50% complete.

3. There has never been a case that the state has not paid a school district what it owes for this program.

4. All State payments for last year's funding of school programs will be paid to the District by this December.