Wednesday, December 20, 2006

(Repeat): Elmbrook School Referendum Will Be At Least $100MM

We said it before, and we'll say it again. The Elmbrook School District will ask for at least $100 MILLION dollars for rebuilding/renovating/redecorating their high school facilities.

The updated cost estimate provided Tuesday night was $99.8 million, although board members urged architects and construction managers to find more savings.

In other words, the Board would love an advertised price smaller than $100MM.

However, several board members expressed interest in adding a second referendum question that would seek approval to build multiuse field houses at the two schools at an additional cost of about $9.5 million. That would almost double the size called for in the $99.8 million plan.

...but I'll hedge that prediction just a tiny bit. With residential and commercial construction declining, it's entirely possible that materials will cost a little less when they start these projects.

On the other hand, one member of the School Board had to be educated:

But he dropped [a request for smaller classroom sizes] after others disagreed and an administrator said larger rooms might be needed in the future if class sizes increase amid budget pressures

"Budget pressures?" Why would THAT occur?

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