The Bridgeport Community is Building Future Dreams
by Gail Beyer
August 12, 2008
EXISTING FACILITY ISSUES:
*Meeting space issues caused by state and federal mandates that we must comply with.
*Classroom space and the curriculum area have been moved into the old white bus maintenance building to the east of the 1927 middle school building.
*Years ago this area was determined to be inadequate for strength training/lifting. Now we are using it as classroom space.
*We have had to encroach on the stage area of the auditorium in the middle school for classroom space which limits use of the stage for events and performances.
*Handicap accessibility for the middle school building is a problem especially upstairs.
*Upstairs restrooms in the middle school do not meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.
*An elevator will eventually be needed for the middle school building
*Plumbing issues are a problem throughout the middle school building.
*Electrical wiring will need to be upgraded if the middle school is to continue to be used.
*Heating and air quality issues need to be addressed if the middle school continues to be used.
*The auditorium floor needs to be reinforced or replaced for continued use of the auditorium in the middle school.
*Better intruder control is needed for the middle school and the white building to the east of the middle school.
*Storage problems exist for teachers, school board records, administration and the school district as a whole.
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BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED
BUILDING PROJECT:
*The Bridgeport school will be able to meet ever increasing mandates from the state and federal level without teaching in hallways and inadequate areas.
*We will no longer house classrooms and children in the white building to the east of the middle school building.
*Handicap students will have access to all of the new building. The building project will not only increase accessibility but also provide a much safer environment for all students.
*The building project will eliminate the tremendous cost of installing an elevator in the middle school building.
*Plumbing, electrical, heating and air issues and the money they will cost to fix in the old building will be money more wisely spent in the new addition to the high school/K-3 existing building.
*The new auditorium will not only save a great deal of money by not having to renovate the problems in the old auditorium but also provide a wonderful facility for the community and the school for years to come. It will provide a facility for events and activities with a capacity of 600 people.
*Intruder control will be a priority in the new addition to the existing high school and K-3 facility.
*The proposed new addition includes only two additional classrooms. All other classrooms/offices/storage in the proposed addition to the existing high school/K-3 facility are replacing existing rooms, etc.
*The new addition will put the entire K-12 program under one roof eliminating small children from having to walk outside between buildings in the winter.
*Upgraded school facilities are a positive enticement for companies looking to locate In the panhandle of Nebraska. New business and new families lead to maintaining property values and less tax burden to the people already living and working here as well as those owning businesses and farming operations.
*As was done for us, appropriate school facilities as proposed by the bond election will benefit children and the Bridgeport community for the next 80 to 100 years.
*Showing commitment to your school shows commitment to your community.
*The ballot and return envelope will be mailed out August 20th through August 30th to all District #63 registered voters.
*Mail in votes must be in the County Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on September 9th, so they must be mailed early enough or hand delivered. NO GRACE ON THIS.
*The deadline to register for this vote is August 29th by 6:00 p.m. in the county clerk’s office.
The Homestead Exemption Law provides a special tax exemption for senior citizens and people on fixed incomes. If you think you may qualify, please contact Sue Nussbaum, the Morrill County Assessor.
Summary:
By adding new classrooms and a new auditorium we will upgrade our facilities to support the increasing demands of state and federal mandates on student performance. This addition will provide a complete educational program for our students.
It is very costly to maintain our school, as the electrical, plumbing, and structural problems are creating unaffordable remodeling requirements. By voting for this project, you will ensure a safe and secure environment for Bridgeport students.
