Click here to view a subset of calling list from 8/27 that has not been called yet.
If you call someone, click on "Post a Comment" below here
and make an entry stating who you've contacted.
If you are going to make a call, check the comments below
to make sure no one has yet called your prospective contact.
All we need by end of day today (Sep. 2) is to find out if they are
registered in the district. If you know they are registered,
check them off the list. If not, they have until end of day today
to turn in form at city hall.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Results of Aug. 6 Board Meeting
Let's get bloggin'!!!!!!!!!!!1
OK, Susan, time to get your schedule constructed!
Everyone,
As you know the election is Sep. 16.
At this morning's meeting, we set the dates of the public
informational meetings. Wed. Sep. 3 at 7:00 pm,
and Sat. Sep. 6 at 10:00 am.
Both at Elementary Gym.
The other thing we decided was the approach to take with financing,
which results in an estimated tax levy of
$2.50 per $1,000 of valuation. This is NOT a typo.
Yes, last time it was $2.93 per $1,000 for the $16M bond,
and this time it is $2.50 per $1,000 for a $17.3M bond.
You may ask: "What is this snake oil salesman really selling?"
We are adopting the recommendation of our fiscal agent
(the bonding company) and using a
"proportional debt service schedule"
instead of the traditional (and previous)
"level debt service schedule".
What this means is that as property valuations go up,
the amount of principal we can pay on a loan (bond) increases with
the same tax levy, so the payment stays "proportional" to the
property valuations as they increase. This allows the tax levy
to start out smaller, but it will remain more constant,
or at least not decrease as much over the life
of the repayment schedule.
Previously, no estimates of property valuation growth were included
in the bond repayment schedule. So, as valuations increased the
levies went down more each year. One would think the public would
appreciate their levies going down each year, but no one keeps track.
No one.
No one ever realizes how much their individual levy on school taxes
goes down each year. Their property taxes go up each year because
their VALUATIONS increase, not the levies. So, because no one keeps
track of levies, we think giving them a lower starting point is a
good selling point, as opposed to giving them a lower ENDING point,
which does not get publicized, and which no one is even aware of.
The property valuation growth estimates included in the repayment
schedule are 3% for the first 5 years, 2% for the next 10,
and 1% for the last 10. The actual increases in our district have
averaged 8.6% in the last 16 years, and 8.12% in the past 5 years.
We believe this is a very conservative, and fiscally responsible
approach. For the public, all they care about is how much their taxes
are going up. With this approach, the answer is "less".
Using the old, "level" approach for the current Middle School bond has
resulted in levies that look like this:
http://www.dellrapidsinfo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS/80806001/1001
OK, Susan, time to get your schedule constructed!
Everyone,
As you know the election is Sep. 16.
At this morning's meeting, we set the dates of the public
informational meetings. Wed. Sep. 3 at 7:00 pm,
and Sat. Sep. 6 at 10:00 am.
Both at Elementary Gym.
The other thing we decided was the approach to take with financing,
which results in an estimated tax levy of
$2.50 per $1,000 of valuation. This is NOT a typo.
Yes, last time it was $2.93 per $1,000 for the $16M bond,
and this time it is $2.50 per $1,000 for a $17.3M bond.
You may ask: "What is this snake oil salesman really selling?"
We are adopting the recommendation of our fiscal agent
(the bonding company) and using a
"proportional debt service schedule"
instead of the traditional (and previous)
"level debt service schedule".
What this means is that as property valuations go up,
the amount of principal we can pay on a loan (bond) increases with
the same tax levy, so the payment stays "proportional" to the
property valuations as they increase. This allows the tax levy
to start out smaller, but it will remain more constant,
or at least not decrease as much over the life
of the repayment schedule.
Previously, no estimates of property valuation growth were included
in the bond repayment schedule. So, as valuations increased the
levies went down more each year. One would think the public would
appreciate their levies going down each year, but no one keeps track.
No one.
No one ever realizes how much their individual levy on school taxes
goes down each year. Their property taxes go up each year because
their VALUATIONS increase, not the levies. So, because no one keeps
track of levies, we think giving them a lower starting point is a
good selling point, as opposed to giving them a lower ENDING point,
which does not get publicized, and which no one is even aware of.
The property valuation growth estimates included in the repayment
schedule are 3% for the first 5 years, 2% for the next 10,
and 1% for the last 10. The actual increases in our district have
averaged 8.6% in the last 16 years, and 8.12% in the past 5 years.
We believe this is a very conservative, and fiscally responsible
approach. For the public, all they care about is how much their taxes
are going up. With this approach, the answer is "less".
Using the old, "level" approach for the current Middle School bond has
resulted in levies that look like this:
1999 - .59
2000 - .47
2001 - .55
2002 - .54
2003 - .58
2004 - .55
2005 - .55
2006 - .45
2007 - .40
Though it looks erratic, this includes 2 separate refinancing actions
to reduce the length of the bond and interest rate,
which eventually reduced the levies even more in the long run.
This is a 32% decrease in eight years, or an average or 4% each year.
With the "proportional" approach, these types of decreases would be
less in magnitude, but will decrease nonetheless. And remember,
the levies would start out at a lower point, with the resultant amount
paid about the same.
And, when this Middle School Levy is paid off in a year or two,
the $2.50 increase required for the bond will be a
net $2.10 or less by then.
This approach has been used recently at Brandon, Harrisburg,
West Central, and elsewhere. The bond for Harrisburg, for example,
done by the same company, included a "conservative" growth
estimate of 7% in the Harrisburg property valuations.
The first 2 years of the bond the actual increases have been 28%.
As you can see, they tailored the grow estimate for our bond to
the Dells district - not at 7% the first 5 years, but at 3%.
So, entirely reasonable.
After this very lengthy explanation, your mission, Jim,
should you decide to accept it, is to help construct a brief,
concise explanation of the new and reduced levy of $2.50 for a new
and increased bond of $17.3M, without the public accusing the board
of not telling the truth, believing there is no way this is possible,
wondering what else we are hiding from them, etc., etc.,.......
This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds................
Brent was there:Though it looks erratic, this includes 2 separate refinancing actions
to reduce the length of the bond and interest rate,
which eventually reduced the levies even more in the long run.
This is a 32% decrease in eight years, or an average or 4% each year.
With the "proportional" approach, these types of decreases would be
less in magnitude, but will decrease nonetheless. And remember,
the levies would start out at a lower point, with the resultant amount
paid about the same.
And, when this Middle School Levy is paid off in a year or two,
the $2.50 increase required for the bond will be a
net $2.10 or less by then.
This approach has been used recently at Brandon, Harrisburg,
West Central, and elsewhere. The bond for Harrisburg, for example,
done by the same company, included a "conservative" growth
estimate of 7% in the Harrisburg property valuations.
The first 2 years of the bond the actual increases have been 28%.
As you can see, they tailored the grow estimate for our bond to
the Dells district - not at 7% the first 5 years, but at 3%.
So, entirely reasonable.
After this very lengthy explanation, your mission, Jim,
should you decide to accept it, is to help construct a brief,
concise explanation of the new and reduced levy of $2.50 for a new
and increased bond of $17.3M, without the public accusing the board
of not telling the truth, believing there is no way this is possible,
wondering what else we are hiding from them, etc., etc.,.......
This message will self-destruct in 10 seconds................
http://www.dellrapidsinfo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080806/NEWS/80806001/1001
Monday, April 28, 2008
Public Meeting Presentation Updates
After discussion with Steve, I made a few minor changes/additions/deletions to the public meeting power point for Thursday. Jeff pointed out a couple of typos that I got rid of, thanks. The main change is addition of more facts we had about the option for construction on the existing site, which makes an even more compelling case for not doing so......I put in quite a few notes on those 2 new pages to explain my thinking on the text and graphics I added. Feedback is welcomed. Really!!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Minutes from 4/24 Meeting
A subset of us had a brief discussion after the public meeting earlier tonight. Justin received 3 checks (at least). He agreed to forward the names of those contributors to Bruce, who is keeping a master list. Bruce with then send out to us tomorrow (Fri) the master list of donors so we don't hit the same people twice. Susan K. informed us there may be a large donor that will leave us with only having to raise $2,500 of the $5,000 target.
Also, there seems to be some confusion about the master "yes" list vs. comprehensive list (yes, no, and everyone contacted via calls also).
Can everyone please take a look at Maggie's comprehensive list?
Make sure everyone you have gotten a yes form or verbal commitment from is on that list. If not, send just those missing names to Maggie for her to add. We need to get a collated list by Monday's phone bank session.
And, the Steering Committee (of KIDS) is going to have an informal meeting at 7 during the phone bank Mon., so try to be there. And, try to bring one other person to help make calls.
All for now. Post a comment if you want to express your opinion on how tonight's meeting went........
I updated the link to the .ppt from tonight with a new version, correction a couple
of mistakes I still had in there.....
Also, there seems to be some confusion about the master "yes" list vs. comprehensive list (yes, no, and everyone contacted via calls also).
Can everyone please take a look at Maggie's comprehensive list?
Make sure everyone you have gotten a yes form or verbal commitment from is on that list. If not, send just those missing names to Maggie for her to add. We need to get a collated list by Monday's phone bank session.
And, the Steering Committee (of KIDS) is going to have an informal meeting at 7 during the phone bank Mon., so try to be there. And, try to bring one other person to help make calls.
All for now. Post a comment if you want to express your opinion on how tonight's meeting went........
I updated the link to the .ppt from tonight with a new version, correction a couple
of mistakes I still had in there.....
Thursday, April 17, 2008
New Docs
I replaced the "New High School Construction" pdf with an updated version from ArchInc (SusanK).
Monday, April 14, 2008
New Documents
Added minutes from 4/13 and voter registration form. Who do we tell people to give the voter registration to?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Q & A
We have been receiving some questions about the bond issue, and multiple people probably have similar questions. I'll attempt to address them here, and add to this list as more queries come in. Feel free to add your question by clicking on "post a comment".
The answers reflect my own personal perspective, and are not endorsed by the Dell Rapids School District, its Board of Education or the KIDS Committee.
Q:
Why are the school board members such idiots?
A:
It's on the form you fill out to apply for the position. I checked "yes".
Q:
Why a new elementary school?
A:
Enrollment has surpassed the capacity for the current building.
If we make additions to the existing facility, upgrades and improvements would be necessary. The board investigated the cost of acquiring neighboring property to allow for a facility equivalent in size to the planned new facility. The cost was prohibitive. For a similar cost, we would have ended up with a school with portions 60 years old, even less playground space than now, zero parking, no controlled traffic access, and an undetermined additional cost for vacating a city street. At this point the board decided to opt for a new facility in a different location.
Also, keep in mind Dell Rapids has the oldest and worst elementary school facility in the Sioux Falls. As Sioux Falls expands, the surrounding communities also experience some of that growth. However, if Dell Rapids is perceived to have the oldest Elementary facility in the area, new families will choose other communities, causing growth and development to suffer. Adequate school facilities is a community issue, not just a school issue.
I personally did not want to spend money to go from the oldest and worst facility in the are to the newest and worst facility in the area. Please don't take this personally, Dave K. You and the other staff do a magnificent job taking care of the building. However, remember that it gets compared to all of the brand new, modern facilities in other area towns.
Q:
What is going to happen to the current elementary facility?
A:
The board received estimates for demolition of the structures that exceeded the estimates we received for selling the razed property as residential lots. Therefore, the board has decided to make enough updates and improvements to make the facility usable for community-wide constituents. No definite plans have been made, because we cannot move out of the school until the new facility is complete, and new clients cannot occupy any space until the renovations are complete. However, groups such as the Haven, Strive High, City of Dell Rapids, Saint Mary's, and Preschool and Day Care providers have all been approached as constituents that could make good use of the facility. In addition, some of them would be paying customers that could help defray the operational expenses.
The answers reflect my own personal perspective, and are not endorsed by the Dell Rapids School District, its Board of Education or the KIDS Committee.
Q:
Why are the school board members such idiots?
A:
It's on the form you fill out to apply for the position. I checked "yes".
Q:
Why a new elementary school?
A:
Enrollment has surpassed the capacity for the current building.
If we make additions to the existing facility, upgrades and improvements would be necessary. The board investigated the cost of acquiring neighboring property to allow for a facility equivalent in size to the planned new facility. The cost was prohibitive. For a similar cost, we would have ended up with a school with portions 60 years old, even less playground space than now, zero parking, no controlled traffic access, and an undetermined additional cost for vacating a city street. At this point the board decided to opt for a new facility in a different location.
Also, keep in mind Dell Rapids has the oldest and worst elementary school facility in the Sioux Falls. As Sioux Falls expands, the surrounding communities also experience some of that growth. However, if Dell Rapids is perceived to have the oldest Elementary facility in the area, new families will choose other communities, causing growth and development to suffer. Adequate school facilities is a community issue, not just a school issue.
I personally did not want to spend money to go from the oldest and worst facility in the are to the newest and worst facility in the area. Please don't take this personally, Dave K. You and the other staff do a magnificent job taking care of the building. However, remember that it gets compared to all of the brand new, modern facilities in other area towns.
Q:
What is going to happen to the current elementary facility?
A:
The board received estimates for demolition of the structures that exceeded the estimates we received for selling the razed property as residential lots. Therefore, the board has decided to make enough updates and improvements to make the facility usable for community-wide constituents. No definite plans have been made, because we cannot move out of the school until the new facility is complete, and new clients cannot occupy any space until the renovations are complete. However, groups such as the Haven, Strive High, City of Dell Rapids, Saint Mary's, and Preschool and Day Care providers have all been approached as constituents that could make good use of the facility. In addition, some of them would be paying customers that could help defray the operational expenses.
New Elementary Plan
The link to the Elementary Plan pdf has been updated with the latest floor plan from ArchInc.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
2nd Post
This is just to make to entries show up in the blog archive on the right, so you get an idea of the navigation capabilities.
Initial Posting
Actually, this is a blog. Not a web site, per se. It took me about 5 min. to set up, is free, and the space is at a google server. It allows anyone to post text/comments, but only I would be able to add links to documents. Not sure if this would address everyone's idea of what we may use it for. At a minimum, it could be a document repository.
Let me know what you think we may use it for, and I will try to make an assessment of whether or not this thing can satisfy the requirement(s).
The name of the url is kind of long, but is our theme/motto, so should be easy to remember. KIDS was already taken. I'm sure
KeepInvestinginDellsSchools.blogspot.com
is available, but thought that was even worse. We can call it whatever we want, as long as it is not already used. It doesn't really matter, though. After you get here once, just bookmark it.
To add a comment, just click on "0 comments" (the first time), and then subsequently "post a comment".
If you create an account and log in, your user name will be included with your post. You can post anonymously without signing in, but then you will be labeled as "anonymous", so include your name in your post.
The area on the right side of the page labeled "blog archive" will keep track of posting for us in a hierarchical manner, by week or some other order I can specify. Below that I can place links to files or other web sites, etc. I can a few other types of functions also. This is just a default template I'm using as a starter.
I can set it up so everyone is e-mailed when there is a new entry, but that may be overkill.
Let me know what you think by posting a comment.
Let me know what you think we may use it for, and I will try to make an assessment of whether or not this thing can satisfy the requirement(s).
The name of the url is kind of long, but is our theme/motto, so should be easy to remember. KIDS was already taken. I'm sure
KeepInvestinginDellsSchools.blogspot.com
is available, but thought that was even worse. We can call it whatever we want, as long as it is not already used. It doesn't really matter, though. After you get here once, just bookmark it.
To add a comment, just click on "0 comments" (the first time), and then subsequently "post a comment".
If you create an account and log in, your user name will be included with your post. You can post anonymously without signing in, but then you will be labeled as "anonymous", so include your name in your post.
The area on the right side of the page labeled "blog archive" will keep track of posting for us in a hierarchical manner, by week or some other order I can specify. Below that I can place links to files or other web sites, etc. I can a few other types of functions also. This is just a default template I'm using as a starter.
I can set it up so everyone is e-mailed when there is a new entry, but that may be overkill.
Let me know what you think by posting a comment.
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