Pierz School Referendum 2018

Based on the Community Survey results and the current space needs at both the high school and elementary, the School Board has approved a $9.9 million referendum.  Visit this page to stay updated on current needs of the district and future plans as outlined by the survey, the board and our community-member facilities committee. 
School Board Approves April 10 Referendum 
Board Moving Forward to Support District Needs
Facilities Committee Holds Meeting #2
Pierz Schools Income Taxes to Stay Low (article)
Facilities Committee Planning for the Future (article)
Survey Results (PDF Brochure)
Community Meeting - Survey Results Presentation (PDF)
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Pierz School Board Cites Space, Update Needs

​Pierz School Board Sets April 10 Referendum
​New proposal is $8.8 million less (or about half the cost) of the last referendum 

At the regular board meeting January 24, the Pierz School Board approved a resolution setting April 10, 2018 for a referendum to invest in its school facilities.

“Here at Pierz Schools, we have some facilities challenges,” said Steve Boser, Clerk of the Pierz School Board. “The band room and elementary gym can’t accommodate all of our students. The parking lot is unsafe, the kitchen is inadequate, and too many children are housed in temporary, outdoor classrooms.”

The one-question referendum is for a building bond just under $10 million. The last referendum, held in May 2017, was for $18.75 million. The new proposal is $8.8 million less, and does not include an auditorium and a number of other improvements that community members felt were unnecessary. Read full article 

Board Moving Forward to Support District Needs

Pierz School Board Members are moving forward on several key issues.

​Addressing Facilities Issues
The Survey data the board accumulated after the referendum from last May had a very strong response rate and some key messages regarding the communities’ expectations of next steps.  The main messages from the Pierz community were:
  • We expect the board to change the plan to only address key needs.
  • We expect the board to act quickly to address those needs.
  • We support needed space that is for teaching and instruction.

The School Board then assembled a large group of community members to review the key facilities needs and to meet with architects and construction specialists to present a model that is both efficient and effective in providing the needed space. Read Full Article

Pierz Facilities Committee  - Meeting #2

Once again more than two dozen community members, staff and school board members gathered on Wednesday, January 3. They reviewed information that was discussed at their first meeting on December 5 regarding the Public Schools facility needs, they reviewed facility investment options and tax impacts presented by the district’s facility consultants, and they made a number of recommendations to the school board, including a selection of one of the options.
 
Recommendations
Based on the survey results and directive from the community, along with the progress the school board has made, the board will consider these recommendations:
  • A referendum request under $10 million
  • Decrease the project cost to the community by seeking alternative funding sources
  • Begin working on a policy for capping open enrollment
  • Take advantage of the Ag2Credit that is now in effect
 
The Facilities Committee is determined to move forward by showing the community both the value and the need for this investment.The school board will consider the Facility Committee recommendations and may approve a resolution to hold a referendum on April 10. Full article

Pierz Schools Property Taxes to Stay Low

At Pierz Schools, the School Board and all of our employees take our responsibility for providing the best education at the best price very seriously. We constantly make judgments about what expenses are necessary. It’s been working. The end result of this frugal and united work culture, is that we are able to keep our local property taxes very low, yet still deliver heartfelt caring for children and top notch instruction. Families are moving into our district so their children can attend our schools. In total school property taxes, Pierz residents pay less than all other nearby districts – and significantly lower than the state average. Read more about our favorable tax situation here Full article.

​Facilities Committee Planning for the Future

First Meeting to Discuss Options for Possible April Bond Referendum

The district held its first Facilities Planning Committee meeting for a possible April bond referendum on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 6:00 PM - Healy High Media Center. The Facilities Planning Committee is comprised of School Board members, volunteer community members, school staff, and the district’s construction consultants from MLA and RAMorton. Superintendent George Weber opened with a quick review of the survey results.  Full article.