Forest Hills School District approves levy for May ballot - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

The Forest Hills Board of Education approved placing a 1.86-mill bond issue on the May 7, 2013 ballot on Monday night.

The levy will address facilities needs as outlined in the Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan presented in December 2012  by Superintendent Dallas Jackson. The issue would generate $47 million and will cost property owners $56.08 per $100,000 market value, based on a 35-year bond repayment.

With the Board's action to place the issue on the ballot, the district is now scheduling a series of community meetings where details of the approved Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan will be shared and discussed. A district wide open house event is also being planned. Dates and times will be announced once they are finalized.

The Comprehensive Facilities Plan's primary focus is on three pillars of needs:

• Need for improved safety and security at every building;
• Need to optimize learning environments;
• Need to make all buildings accessible for all students staff and community.

The process identified the "envelopes" (structures) of all school buildings to be strong; however, Wilson's building envelope was identified as having a lesser degree of integrity and sustainability. Therefore, renovations/improvements have been recommended for eight of the district's buildings as well as the construction of a new elementary to replace Wilson Elementary.

The key recommendations for each building include:

Anderson: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; HVAC improvements (cooling) and classroom modifications to enhance learning environments and improve security; improved ADA accessibility with elevators and entry assists; generator system and electrical service improvements; scheduled roof replacement and site circulation and safety improvements.

Turpin: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; improved ADA accessibility with entry assists; HVAC efficiency improvements and significant classroom modifications and student circulation improvements to enhance learning environments and security.

Nagel: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; door access control improvements; improved ADA accessibility with entry assists; HVAC chiller efficiency improvements; site access improvements for traffic; and enhanced learning environments and security.

Ayer: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; fire alarm improvements; provide ADA accessibility with entry assist and restroom modifications; interior renovations, and technology infrastructure improvements to enhance learning environments and security.

Maddux: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; provide ADA accessibility modifications addressing the lower level; eliminate the modular classrooms with a two-classroom addition; scheduled roof replacement; site access improvements for traffic; HVAC improvements (cooling) and technology infrastructure improvements to enhance student learning and security.

Mercer: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; provide ADA accessibility provisions for gymnasium entrance; window replacement; scheduled roof replacement; interior renovations and technology infrastructure improvements to enhance learning environments and security.

Sherwood: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; fire alarm improvements; provide ADA accessibility with entry assist and restroom modifications; interior renovations, and technology infrastructure improvements to enhance learning environments and security.

Summit: security improvements to accomplish a secure public entrance; provide ADA accessibility modifications with entry assist and elevator; scheduled roof replacement; window replacement; HVAC improvements (cooling) and technology infrastructure improvements to enhance learning environments and security.

Wilson: The cost to renovate Wilson far exceeds the OSFC recommendations and therefore the plan recommends building replacement. This addresses: safety and security for students, staff and guests; accessibility for all; and optimized educational environments.

The $47 million Comprehensive Facilities Plan supported by the Board will address the needs outlined in the Plan including dollars for additional safety/security modifications.

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