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Superintendent, Lee Sandy said the goal was to develop a capital projects five year Plan to address the need for construction and repairs in each school building. He said the long-term plans include looking at the current and projected budgets, and considering possibility of a bond issue.

Sandy said that enrollment dropped from last year, with a loss of 207 students. He said enrollment has steadily declined and fluctuated over the last seven years. The loss has resulted in a financial loss to the district of more than $1,000,000.

Pending legislation in Lansing would potentially result in additional losses to the district. Sandy said students have transferred to Forest Area, Elk Rapids, Mancelona, Traverse City, and Excelsior or other school districts, under the ÒSchools of Choice Policy.Ó

(The Schools of Choice Policy is a provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.) ÒAnd thatÕs just the ones we know a bout,Ó he said. He said there might be other students who are not counted who attend home school or private schools.

Sandy said that students who transferred into the district are overshadowed by the loss of students. ÒItÕs not because we donÕt have room,Ó Sandy said. Student enrollment at Birch Street Elementary is 430, Cherry Street Intermediate, 178, Rapid City Elementary, 368, Kalkaska Middle School, 368, and Kalkaska High School, 480. There are 65 students enrolled at Northside Education Center (Alternative).

Sandy said the board has budgeted to insure there are no cuts. ÒCuts should sustain through the school year,Ó he said. He said that the school district has needs that must be addressed in the next five years.

Kalkaska High School, which was built in 1957, is in need of repairs, as are the other schools in the district. Some of the repairs are mandated by state and federal health or safety guidelines. Others are cosmetic, but necessary because of deterioration and age.

ÒIf we donÕt get more money, we will need to make more cuts. We canÕt build more than we can afford,Ó said Sandy.

Handouts included a ÒFacilities NeedsÓ list, with estimates of repair costs. The list included health, safety or maintenance concerns, including firewalls, electrical repairs, roof leaks, handicap access, emergency lighting, alarms, drinking fountains, and bathroom facilities. The list was prepared with help from Integrated Design Group and Wolgast Corporation, a construction management company. Another list included computers, servers, and installation costs needed to meet technological needs.

A summary of bonding alternatives and a list showing the estimated impact on individual taxpayers, prepared with help from The PFM Group (Public Financial Management) was also handed out.

Sandy said it is important to predict a high enough return on a bond issue to assure that the district can handle any unforeseen budget situations.

ÒYou have to predict high enough so you donÕt come up short (if a problem occurs),Ó Sandy said. He said capitalization and interest would be factors to consider when choosing a date for bond vote Participants broke into task groups to review the lists and make suggestions. Bonny Gaylord asked, ÒWhy canÕt we have people from the community come in and paint, or provide some of the services?Ó said Bonny Gaylord. We need to inspire people to want to be involved in helping,Ó said Sheri Irish, who recently moved to Kalkaska. Board President James Harris said that liability and warrantee of work was an issue when making renovations.

Spokesman, Steve Boettcher, of Integrated Design, said, ÒWe (mechanical engineers, architects, and administrators) walked through each school. Roof leaks were brought to our attention by maintenance people,Ó Boettcher said. He said that he was asked if costs would be less for new facility than renovating existing buildings. He said maintenance costs of a new building would go down but would rise again as the building ages, codes, and EDA rules change. ÒIn ten years, costs would rise again,Ó he said.

Public comments addressed the image of the school and a suggestion that 3rd and 4th grades be targeted as the point to begin building a more positive identity. Dale Gaylord, statement ÒIf you want to pass on a bond issue, donÕt close Rapid City School.Ó was supported by a large group from Rapid City that attended the meeting to support keeping the school open.

Sandy asked participants to return for follow-up on February 26, 2007, to review feedback they gathered from the community. Many people expressed positive comments about the meeting. Wes Irish and his wife, Sheri, recently moved to Rapid City, across the street from the school. His son attends 2nd grade at Rapid City Elementary.

ÒWe live right across the street from the school. Information is always a good thing Ð being open, and being realistic about figures,Ó he said. He is concerned that the school will close.

Joe Mariage said, ÒIt went really well. ItÕs a good step in the right direction.Ó Jake Golden, from Wolgart Corpora