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Long Term Facility Plan
All three District schools are aging and have safety, security, and maintenance needs.
Three options for addressing high priority needs including repairing and or replacing roofing, plumbing, and HVAC systems, and removing the mobile units at the two elementary schools have been developed.
Addressing the repair needs sooner rather than later will prevent costly emergency repairs. Removing the mobile units from the elementary schools will improve security and provide educational benefits.
The District is seeking community input on the three options prior to determining next steps. The District will invest up to $7.1 million no matter which option is approved.
Option A—Complete priority repairs at all three schools and remove the mobile units at the elementary schools. This would require issuing taxpayer approved bonds and a tax increase of approximately $414 on a home valued at $350,000.
Option B—Complete priority repairs at Nippersink Middle School; repair/replace the mobile classrooms and add fencing to improve security. This would require issuing taxpayer approved bonds and a tax increase of approximately $250 on a home valued at $350,000.
Option C— Make short-term repairs at Nippersink Middle School. Replace or renovate existing mobile units at Spring Grove Elementary and Richmond Grade School. This would only utilize existing District funds, deferring long-term repairs and a bond referendum to a later date.
The estimated tax impact is based on current plans. If interest rates or construction costs continue to rise and/or the plans are revised this number may fluctuate. If the Board of Education places a measure on the ballot a tax calculator will be shared.
Building Specific Priorities
Nippersink Middle School
Opened in 1947
The building is over 75 years old and has many structural issues including:
Replace outdated HVAC
Replace leaking roofs
Update insufficient electrical systems
Improve Safety and Security
Please click on the following link to hear and see more about the Nippersink Middle School needs.
NMS Video
Richmond Grade School
Opened in 1962
Many of the building’s components are original and over 60 years old. Priorities include:
Replace original roof
Replace original ventilation system
Replace mobile classrooms
Please click on the following link to hear and see more about the Richmond Grade School needs.
RGS Video
Spring Grove Elementary
Opened in 1961
The school is overcrowded; some spaces are not accessible to individuals with mobility challenges. Priorities include:
Add classrooms to replace mobile units that house fifth grade classes and music
Install elevator to improve accessibility
Enlarge undersized library
Please click on the following link to hear and see more about the Spring Grove Elementary needs.
SGE Video
Community presentations were shared over the past several months, which outline the three LTFP options. To review the presentation, please click this link - Nippersink SD 2 Board of Education's - Long Term Facility Plans
Grade Centers
Nippersink School District #2 was created in 2000 when Richmond-Burton High School opened and RIchmond District District #13 and Spring Grove District #11 merged. Students in grades 6–8 from both districts began attending Nippersink Middle School and District #2 continued to operate the two existing Pre-K–5 buildings.
Due to population and enrollment shifts over the next two decades, this is no longer in the best interest of students. Spring Grove Elementary (SGE) is over capacity and Richmond Grade School (RGS) is in need of repairs. There are aging mobile classrooms at both buildings that pose security risks and educational disadvantages.
If the schools are reconfigured when the mobiles are removed, additional classrooms would only have to be built at SGE, not both schools.. This arrangement would also provide greater flexibility if the population and enrollment shift in the future.
Educational benefits of grade centers include the ability to tailor learning spaces for specific age groups, improved equity, curricular alignment and staff communication.
Mobile Units
Mobile classrooms are being used at Spring Grove Elementary School (SGE) and Richmond Grade School (RGS). These were intended to be a temporary solution not a permanent fixture at our schools. The existing units are aging and in need of repairs/replacement. Mobile units:
Are less secure than the school buildings; students must leave to use bathrooms, the library, and other educational spaces. This is especially critical during weather emergencies.
Are aging and in need of repairs
Do not support current teaching and learning needs due to space constraints.
Have no plumbing
Lack fire suppression systems
Removing these units is a high priority for the Board and administration, based on independent security assessments conducted for the district in 2018 . The most cost-efficient way to accomplish this is to reconfigure the elementary schools since RGS has surplus space and would not require an addition. The proposal calls for grades PK-2 to be located at RGS while SGE would house grades 3-5.
Establishing two grade centers to serve all students could provide a cost-effective solution to these problems and offer educational advantages. The proposal calls for RSG to house Pre-K–2 students while SGE would be home to the students in grades 3–5.
Financial Overview
FAQ
Coming soon.