OPN Architects held several community meetings for the Greene County School District bond referendum.

Over 20 people attended the Rippey meeting. It was mentioned that the school district can’t legally bond for more than $21.48 million for the project to build a new high school, regional career academy and renovating the current high school into a middle school. The school district is using $4.5 million of voter-approved physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) funds, as well as the Secured an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funds.

The reason why the classrooms in the new high school are proposed for 900-square-feet is due to 21st Century learning and the fact that students learn in a more collaborative environment. The current high school classrooms are 700-square-feet and will not change for the incoming middle school students, who are currently in 550-square-foot classrooms.

It was also mentioned that the new high school will be using geothermal. It was pointed out that the new gym and performing arts center will have to utilize a conventional style of heating and cooling, due to the fact that for geothermal to be effective, it needs to be utilized on a consistent basis, which those two structures typically aren’t.

If the bond doesn’t pass, the district would have to use $5 million just to get the over 100-year-old middle school up to code, without replacing the roof, utilities or anything else that’s structural deficient.

Finally, a question was brought up that since Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation pledged $4.5 million toward the gym and performing arts center, would the cities and other organizations like Greene County Community Foundation receive less funds. Sid Jones answered that the cities allocated portion may not change and the Greene County Community Foundation would still receive more funds than before GGCGC existed. The only entity that is going to not receive their allocated portion is the Greene County School District, if the bond passes.

For more information about the bond, go to ourkidsourfuturegreenecounty.org.