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Schools

East Windsor Town Meeting

The town meeting is to discuss:

REPLACEMENT OF THE
BROAD BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PORTABLE CLASSROOMS
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Broad Brook Elementary School was constructed in 1952
with subsequent additions in 1961 and 1986. The current 8 portable classrooms
were added under a lease agreement in 2002, which expires in June 2012. This
lease has been extended for one year, in order to provide the planning time
necessary for their replacement. These units, which were already 10+ years old
when first leased, are now more than 20 years old and have outlived their
usefulness and are in need of replacement.

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Although the school building is well maintained, the 50+ year
age of the building and the various additions still do not provide an ideal
facility for Pre-K-4th grade curriculum. There is currently
insufficient space for all classrooms and required instruction, or private
counseling or small group instructional space. In addition, the old portable
units are not energy efficient according to today’s standards.

Over the past several years, the Town has invested in both a
new roof and a new heating system for the building; thereby committing to the
continued operation of the building for the foreseeable future.

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Given that the construction industry remains highly
competitive and that interest rates are relatively low, the time is optimum for
the replacement of the portables units.

The Town proposes to replace the current 8 portable classroom
unit with 14 new permanent modular classrooms; 10 classrooms in the front of
the building and 4 additional classrooms in the north courtyard area. These
permanent modular units have a useful life of 40-50 years, as opposed to only
20 for the portable classroom type of construction. In addition, these units
will be owned by the Town, as opposed to continuing to lease them from a
private third party.

The current obligation to continue leasing the current 8
portable classrooms is $ 7738 per month plus, at the conclusion of the lease,
an additional $ 287,000 for their removal.

The total cost of the project is estimated not to exceed   $ 3,770,000. At a bond rate of 2.79% over 20
years and  a reimbursement rate of
56.79%, the monthly local cost (43.21%) of the 14 permanent modular classrooms,
including design and construction, site work, furniture, fixtures, equipment,
instructional technology, removal of the current portable units, energy related
improvements and hazardous material removal 
will cost approximately $ 8864.20 per month. The difference in cost will
be paid from the cost savings in heat and utilities.

The permanent modular classrooms qualify for School Building
Assistance reimbursement. In order to qualify for School Building Assistance,
the Town must commit to bonding for the project. Furthermore, the grant
application must be submitted by June 30, 2012 in order to qualify for funding
this next year.

All of the construction
costs, including the bond issuance cost can be absorbed within the current
budget.

BOTTOM LINE
The Choice is:
$ 7738 per Month + $ 287,000 Removal Cost to Continue to Lease 8 - Twenty (20+) Year Old Classrooms Which are in Poor Condition
OR
$ 8864 per Month (Cost Difference to be Paid from Heating and Utilities Savings) to Purchase 14 New Classrooms Which are More Energy Efficient with New Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Technology
The Board of Education Will Redirect Funds Already Budgeted for Rent and Utilities to Pay for This Project.
 All at NO ADDED Cost to the Town.
The Broad Brook Modular Classroom Project will be Discussed at the Town Meeting Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on June 20, 2012.
A Referendum Vote is Scheduled for June 27, 2012.
It will be up to the voters to decide on the future of their elementary school
NO PUBLIC FUNDS WERE USED IN THE PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS DOCUMENT
 
Paid for by the Broad Brook Elementary School PTO
Jill Turner, President

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