Regional School District No. 4

Athletic Facility Projects

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

History of Athletic Facility Needs

• Ongoing athletic facility needs expressed through the Reg. 4 budgeting process for several years

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• Based on the continued level of need, we engaged the BSC Group in 2020-2021 to perform a comprehensive Athletics Facilities Needs Assessment for Region 4 for the next 5 - 10 years

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History of Athletic Facility Needs

• Applied individual criteria to assess each field’s or facility’s physical condition:
• Demands on Existing Facility & Usage
• Maintenance & Management of Assets
• Safety, Accessibility, and Risk of Injury
• Global considerations related to the development of our athletic fields:
• Basic athletic standards vs. high level competition facilities
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Title IX Requirements
• Green Initiatives
• Athletic Facility & Recreational Trends (Lighting, Pickle Ball)
• Community resources

History of Athletic Facility Needs

• This BSC Group assessment verified all facilities were overdue for significant capital investment and in need of improvements to address safety and accessibility for players and spectators
• Budgetary constraints limited the funds available for annual maintenance
• Many years of deferred maintenance for larger projects and needs
• Existing facilities are reaching or exceeding maximum recommended Field Usage
• In Spring 2021, with these recommendations in hand, we convened a group of stakeholders to form the R4 Long Range Athletic Facilities Planning Task Force
• Goal was to unpack the recommendations and understand project priorities
• Based on the BSC Group work, feedback from the Task Force, and input from student, parent, and community surveys, the full list of proposed projects was brought forth to the R4 Buildings & Grounds Maintenance & Oversight Committee this past Fall 2022

History of Athletic Facility Needs

• The Region 4 Buildings & Grounds Maintenance & Oversight Committee met throughout the fall and winter to conduct the following:
• Reviewed all the project recommendations
• Listened to stakeholders
• Received guidance from legal and financial experts, and re-engaged the BSC Group to provide updated cost projections
• Identified a list of projects for an upcoming bonding referendum
• Recommendations from this Committee were presented to the Region 4 Board of Education and a list of 10 athletic facility projects were ultimately approved by the Board to move forward

Proposed Improvements - Valley Regional HS Campus

Proposed Improvements - John Winthrop MS Campus

Projected Financial Impact on Region 4 Schools

• $9,966,000 total bond cost
• Assumes 20 year repayment schedule with fixed principal payments
• Assumes 4.25% interest rate, per Municipal Advisor estimate
• First payment due in 2024-25, which is the first year without a payment on existing bonds
• First year payment represents a 0.71% increase over proposed 2023-24 Region 4 budget

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q: What are the issues and problems with the current outdoor athletic facilities?

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A: The fields suffer from overuse, years of inadequate and deferred maintenance, poor irrigation and drainage, as well as numerous safety and accessibility concerns.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

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Q: Why are these projects being proposed now?

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A: Now is the time to address this long overdue need on both school campuses. Due to the level of deterioration, these projects can no longer be delayed. Additionally, the Region 4 Board of Education has an opportunity to finance these projects through a bond, as the previous capital bonds from the last major renovation of JWMS and VRHS are maturing.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q: The report mentions the upper and lower fields possibly being converted to a synthetic turf field. What are the benefits of a synthetic turf athletic field?

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A: The benefits of a synthetic turf field include:

• More consistent play compared to natural grass
• Early and late season play (wet and frozen conditions)
• Lower maintenance costs (e.g. water, mowing, fertilizers, pesticides, and line painting)

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q: What is the project cost?

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A: The estimated cost for all 10 major projects including the required bonding expenses will total $9.96 million.

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Q: What will be the impact on the Region 4 education budget?

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A: If approved, the district will pursue a 20 year bond obligation. Based on current levels of debt service in the Region 4 budget, if the member towns support these projects at the proposed amount and repayment schedule, there will be minimal Region 4 budget impact. This will ensure budget stability and predictability for the member towns.

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Upcoming Timeline & Milestones

• Wednesday, March 15 (TONIGHT)

Special Meeting of the Region 4 Athletic Community

• Wednesday, March 29 @ 7:00 p.m. in the John Winthrop Middle School Auditorium

The Region 4 Board of Education will hold a District Meeting & Public Hearing on Proposed Athletic Facility Improvement Projects and Bonding Initiative

• Following this meeting, a non-advocacy period will begin in which the Region is forbidden from actively promoting the projects
• Thursday, April 27 @ 7:00 p.m.

The Board will hold an INFORMATIONAL ONLY Public Hearing to present the projects and answer questions from the public in advance of the referendum

• May 2, 2023: Possible Referendum for Region 4 Bonding Placed on Ballot

How can I support this effort?

• Attend Region 4 Board meetings to make your voice heard
• Attend the Public Hearing on March 29, 2023
• Visit our website to learn more about this project
• Spread the word in your community about why this project is important
• Remember to VOTE on MAY 2!

Questions?