Joplin Schools Bond Issue Information February 9, 2012

Why these projects? Joplin High School and FTC were both overcrowded prior to the storm. Rebuilding both schools using the previous square footage would mean cutting a ribbon in August 2014 on a new school that is overcrowded the day we open the doors. The new Irving Elementary School is a storm replacement school. It is needed to alleviate overcrowding at both Stapleton and Cecil Floyd as well as provide room for growth in the southern part of the school district. The new East Middle School is needed to replace the middle school that was lost. The new elementary on the East Middle School site is a storm replacement school. It is needed to address the projected growth in that part of town and alleviate overcrowding at other buildings that has occurred due to the storm related student population shift. Safe room construction will provide peace of mind to students and parents. Additionally, these safe rooms will be available 24/7 for community use. School repairs are needed at a number of sites. Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) are zero interest bonds available for renovation of existing schools.

Why now? First and foremost, we have over 3,200 students and staff in temporary facilities including dozens of trailers. We are currently paying annual leases for temporary schools in excess of $2 million. As a result of the storm, we are eligible for state and federal funds to support our rebuild efforts. These funds are available now to offset some of our rebuild costs. Interest rates are at an all-time low. Likewise, we know that construction costs are only going to go up. The attention on Joplin will lessen over time. Thus, making it more difficult to garner donations for reconstruction. We can only move into schools in the summer or over the winter break. Timing is of the essence and the current construction schedule is critical. We need to get the storm shelters built. Waiting means we go an additional spring without the extra protection for our students, staff, and community.

What happens if it doesn’t pass? We will be unable to meet the required 25% match needed to access $35.4 million in federal/state aide to help in the rebuild of our schools. We will not be able to access $35.4 million in federal/state aide until we have the 25% match. No community safe rooms will be built because of the loss of state aide. $7 million in zero interest QZAB bonds will be lost for renovation. Given the hit our fund balances took, we need these funds to take care of undamaged buildings for a few years. Joplin High School and Franklin Technical School will remain in their temporary locations at North Park Mall and Memorial. OR We rebuild JHS/FTC using insurance funds alone and build a brand new school that is already overcrowded on ribbon cutting day. We will attempt to build East Middle School, Irving Elementary, and Elementary 2 using insurance proceeds and donations.

April 3, 2012 Bond Language QUESTION Shall Joplin Schools issue its general obligation bonds in the amount not exceeding $62,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, repairing, improving, furnishing and equipping school facilities, including: – A new Joplin High School/Franklin Technical Center – A new East Middle School – Two new elementary schools – Repairs and improvements to existing schools to include areas that will serve as community safe rooms (tornado shelters)?

Property Tax Impact If this question is approved, the District’s debt service tax levy is estimated to increase by $0.35 from $0.56 to $0.91 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property. On a $75,000 home 35 cents represents a little less than $50 per year.

Strategy to Procure Additional Funding Continue to seek State/Federal Aide CDBG Funding – Offset safe room funding – Provide assistance for demolition of lots purchased New CDBG Funding – There is little available at the State level. – The City of Joplin was given $45.3 million. We are an eligible entity for those funds. » Storm related costs » Safe room funding Economic Development Administration Funding – $200 million available to our 10 state region. » Potential funding for FTC as a workforce development project. Maximize FEMA/SEMA Funding Sources – We have dozens of project worksheets in the system Donations – Continue efforts to raise funds

If we are successful in our efforts to find additional funding sources… First, we will need to look at Columbia and West Central as possible projects for completion. Second, the administration will recommend to the Board of Education the district NOT issue bonds in $x amount if it is not needed.

Irving Elementary

East Middle School & Elementary School

JHS / FTC – site plan

Questions?