FAQ

A professional facility audit as well as numerous meetings and surveys with the community, staff, and administration has identified urgent facility needs that must be addressed.  It has been determined that these needs will require a large capital investment and that a bond issue is the most efficient financial and educational solution to these urgent needs. 

The project includes both renovations and additions to the existing PreK-12 building.  These improvements will eliminate the portable classrooms and improve all parts of the PreK-12 educational program.  The project will potentially include a competition gym and locker room facilities.

The ballot will include two propositions to be voted on by registered voters in the district.  Proposition 1 will include renovations and additions to the existing PreK-12 building with a bond amount not to exceed $22.8 million.  Proposition 2 will include a competition gym and locker room facilities at a bond amount not to exceed $9.3 million.  Proposition 2 can only pass if Proposition 1 passes and cannot pass as a stand-alone project.

If one or both bonds pass the board plans to reduce the Special Building Fund Levy by approximately 4 cents per year creating a NET LEVY IMPACT for taxpayers.  Please visit the FINANCIAL INFORMATION tab on the website to calculate your tax impact.

Historically, the school has responded to family, student, and stakeholder needs for additional programming to include Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Career and Technical Education (Agriculture, Certified Nurses’ Assistant, Digital Media, Information technology, and future expansion in technology applications).

Through over 18 feedback-gathering opportunities, stakeholders have identified the need for improved safety, security, academic spaces, and operations at D-T.  This project will specifically improve opportunities for students through the addition of the following spaces, as aligned with feedback from our community:

• Improved safety entrances for the elementary that are secured and controlled, with safety standard solid core doors, simple (large motor) industrial strength locking mechanisms from inside classrooms, and communication systems to utilize in emergencies.
• New ventilation in science and shop/ag learning spaces to provide more hands-on learning opportunities for more students enrolled in these classes and create a safer environment.
• A larger and updated Shop / Ag learning space that will accommodate updated equipment and additional Ag partnerships within our local ag business economy that are currently unavailable.
• Updating technology, safety, and operational equipment in each classroom at the school to meet the technology needs of the current learning environment and to support all teachers in their needs to provide students with the learning that meets their needs.
• Updated science classrooms will provide hands-on learning opportunities.
• Appropriate and private small group learning spaces for students to work and collaborate with peers for current coursework and future applications of their learning.
• Small group and individual learning spaces for students who may have specific behavioral, emotional, or academic needs that can support any unique needs without disrupting the learning environment of other students.
• Rooms and small group spaces for students in special education, mental health needs, school psychology, speech, Title I, and other intervention-based classes will be in individual rooms, rather than hallways or shared spaces where other learning and classes are occurring.
• Classrooms where students can learn and have their centers in early childhood education rather than in hallways.
• Increased capacity for enrollment in Human Services; Health Sciences; Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; and Business Marketing and Management Career Pathways.  Expansion of these classrooms, moving them out of old closets or storage, will provide greater enrollment in over 10 different programs of students, not to mention being able to expand into seed science, and other agriculture-related pathways as our local economy and stakeholders have discussed and identified.
• Currently, students participating in Title reading or stage-based performances, if wheelchair bound, would not be able to access those services and programs due to facility limitations without a lift and this project will provide access for all.
• Current operational deficiencies in the building include HVAC, Lighting and Air Quality ventilation that all impact the learning, teaching and working environment; ultimately impacting opportunities for students.  This project will resolve those issues.

The current enrollment is 456 from the 2022-23 school year, and this year’s estimated number, as final enrollment figures are not finalized until October 1, 2023, for this year, is estimated to be 478 students PK-12, which is the largest enrollment since the 2014-15 school year.   There has been significant growth in our Preschool classes as those opportunities have increased, given the community’s desire to support early childhood education and the absence of a community preschool.  Beyond preschool growth, comparing year-to-year cohorts, besides the junior class, each grade level had a year-over-year growth of students. 

Any new homes or businesses that are built within district boundaries will increase the overall valuation of the district.  New valuation coming into the district will reduce the tax levy impact of the bond on current residents.

The project will include a capacity for 625 students.  We currently have an enrollment of 478 in grades PK-12.  This would accommodate growth to at least 625 students, if not more given the increased size of program availability like a larger CNA room, Shop / Ag, health sciences,  special education spaces, and small group learning spaces that are currently absent.  19 classrooms will be added to the building to house programs including early childhood, updated kindergarten rooms to house centers and the learning space, Shop / Ag, Band & Choir, and classes / small group learning spaces will be moved out of closets and hallways. 

The project includes improvements to our classrooms and shop areas.  There is a growing need for students to have opportunities in the trades and agriculture and the new facility would provide these opportunities.  Our community is the proud home to multiple construction and trades-based companies.  The school sees itself as a partner with these businesses and others as the school aims to innovate and provide learning opportunities that align with our local economy.

Our district is required by state and federal law to provide an appropriate education for special education students.  The project will ensure that we have the space to properly educate a growing population with diverse needs.  School patrons have sought to ensure that students can learn and grow in areas that protect their privacy while still ensuring that all students can continue to receive support from teachers as well.  This project accomplishes both of these goals.

A recent historical investment in support of public education and related school finance provides foundation aid for students and this includes support for option students.  Option students are funded by the state of Nebraska at approximately $7,000 additional dollars for the school and can be financial support as well as increasing enrollment and providing enhanced learning for all students. 

The most recent net option was roughly even.  D-T continues to support the innovation and growth of students as they pursue their career interests and will continue to be a destination for students.  Option enrollment for our area is unique because of the original merger of students from Doniphan and Trumbull.  Many families with Trumbull addresses have never attended Doniphan-Trumbull for over 20 years since the merger.

Construction experts include inflationary factors and contingency into the bond price to ensure the project can be built for the amount on the ballot.  They have indicated that while construction volatility has stabilized somewhat the cost to build public schools will only continue to go up in the future.  Waiting to address the district’s needs will end up costing more.

• Cost
  • Overall tax impact was the least while still meeting needs and allowing for each student to have the best possible learning environment with efficient operations, safety, and updated learning spaces.
• Feasibility
  • Def: state or degree of being conveniently done.
  • The shortest length of construction and phasing is manageable
• Solving immediate needs with room for expansion and built-in new spaces
  • Using public dollars in a way to doesn’t hedge on enrollment increases and allows for any future expansion to be supported financially through an expanded property tax base

Members of the board have been analyzing facility needs formally since January 2022.  This process has taken them through two facility studies and nearly 10 different proposals.  Other solutions under serious consideration included demolishing the current ⅚ grade hallway through to the shop/ag classroom.   In its place, there would be a 2 story addition of new classrooms that would extend in the same footprint and wrap around to the current north exit of the high school building.  The same first-floor addition would have been built as well.  This would have nearly doubled the new square footage to 65,000 from the current proposal of 38,000.  This additional new space, plus the demolition of the old ⅚ grade hallway would have extended the construction timeline by 6 more months and increased costs by over 10 million dollars more.  Cost, feasibility, and solving the immediate needs while providing growth opportunities in option J was seen as the best path forward.

A group of community members is working to provide many opportunities for registered voters to become informed about the bond issue and vote on November 14th.  Information will be organized and shared with the public via a website, daily social media posts, flyers, informational mailing, small community group meetings, and town hall presentations.  The goal is to make sure every voter has access to accurate information before receiving their ballot in the mail.

The original modular from 2007 was utilized by special education and business classes.  Only when preschool went to a full day program (2021-22 school year) was preschool moved to the modular and then upon expansion into (the 2022-23 school year) two sections for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, was the additional modular needed.  Academic data for both of these cohorts of students as compared to previous preschool grades is extremely positive.

Current 1st grade (first class with expanded 4-year-old PK):

• Math – 76% of students are above benchmark
• Reading

Current Kindergarten (first class with expanded 3-year-old and 4-year-old PK) 

• Math – 87% of students are above benchmark
• Reading

The timeline is 18 months, which includes 2 summers and 1 school year.  The goal would be in the new building in time for the 2025-2026 school year.  Groundbreaking would be in the Spring of 2024.

Safety during construction is of paramount importance.  Safety measures will include safety in the construction process, but safety to ensure operations continue and communication, electricity, plumbing, etc., can continue during construction.  BD has navigated this similar situation with other schools and hospitals and the Board and Administration are confident in their ability to take preliminary plans and put them into action.

BD Construction focuses on schools and hospitals.  They are very skilled and experienced in navigating these complex situations with moving parts.  Any home improvement project, let alone a facility renovation and addition as complicated as this one will have hiccups.  If the bond is passed, the preliminary efforts to map out phasing and how education will continue will be ramped out and finalized.  New construction areas will likely begin first, followed by renovation in the summer.

2018 – School Community Partnership For Essential Planning task force made the final priority recommendations regarding facilities:

• Preschool
• Auditorium
• Cafeteria
• Gym Usage conflicts
• Storage
• Classrooms

2020 – Superintendent Search Survey by McPherson & Jacobson Executive Recruitment asked the community what issues should the incoming superintendent be aware of and prepared for:

• The current facility is not well suited for the growth of enrollment/programming
• Cramped kitchen and cafeteria
• “The Modular”

2021-2022 School Year – During this school year there were community coffee open forums held in each community and open forums for staff and students, in addition to a community/family survey.  Additionally, an internal facility study was conducted to determine facility needs.  

2022-2023 School Year – Additional surveys were conducted to seek input on facility needs.

Summer 2023 – Following the selection of proposal J, the Board of Education sought community feedback regarding facility needs and a proposed solution, in addition to the potential fiscal and tax impact, as well as the tolerance and support for a project.  The feedback from these two meetings confirmed the need for a large investment in facilities to include a bond.

If the academic part passes and is completed and at some point the community would like to add a competition gym, it is likely to cost more for the same facility, or a compromise for less of a facility/space for the same current cost.  This scenario would play out for the academic portion as well regarding costs and downsizing the project.

Functionally, it means students and staff will be doubled up, continue to learn in small groups using entryways and there will be limited ability to expand current programs and/or add additional programs. 

Given the ongoing need for efficient and safe operations and environment, coupled with academic programming and space needs, this proposal met the immediate areas of concern.  It does so in a cost-conscious manner while preserving room for expansion.

There are currently an estimated 168 total existing stalls available on or adjacent to the school campus.  This is an estimation because much of the existing parking is located on gravel.   The proposed stalls would number over 240, with overflow parking granted by the village at the gravel lot west of the Event Center.  The distance from the current farthest parking spot to the farthest spot in the overflow gravel lot is within one football field (100 yards) of each other and the main entry is 618 lineal feet from the farthest parking stall.