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Dee-Mack Primary & Junior High |
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Christina Lammers, Principal |
Frank
Reliford, Principal |
Bill
Lamb, Principal |
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Voice: 359-4321 Fax: 359-4015 |
Voice:
447-6226 Fax: 447-5201 |
Voice:
359-4421 Fax: 359-3125 |
For Immediate Release…
MACKINAW, IL
At their August meeting, the
The
need for the referendum has been generated by several factors. These factors include the age and code
violations of the building, increased maintenance and energy costs, lack of
current technology, and student growth. Enrollments
at the high school have increased by 49 students (20%) over the past two years
and are projected to increase another 17% (50 students) over the next two
years. The 92 year old structure has
water damage from water seeping into the building behind the brick. Further, it was not built to support
technology nor does it meet today’s standards of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
By
completing the renovations the district plans to (1) assure adequate space for
projected growth to maintain the present academic standards; (2) create a
better educational environment by improving lighting, noise reduction, environmental
controls, and increasing space; and, (3) to address safety, energy
conservation, and maintenance issues of the 92 year old building (including ADA
accessibility, health and life safety, student environment, security, and
building codes).
The district has researched alternatives to the
building project which include delaying the referendum and to do nothing. Delaying the referendum for five years would
result in an increase in construction costs of approximately $1,000,000 due to skyrocketing
construction costs. Each year we delay
construction, we add 4% to the cost of the renovations. Additional costs could result in another $782,000
being expended for repairs on the existing 1914 structure. Should the enrollments continue at the
current pace, the overcrowding would result in the leasing of portable
classrooms which would cost another $340,000 over a five year lease. Repairing the current facility does not
guarantee a solution as it is unsure of how long the building would last after
the repairs.
The building project, if completed, will increased
classroom space. In addition to gaining
additional classrooms (six presently increased to eleven) the district would build
larger rooms, thus increase the square footage of classroom space from 12,760
sq. ft. presently to 34,940 square feet.
With the new building the district will improve learning areas; Science
Labs, Computer Labs, and the Library will be rebuilt to reflect current codes
and needs. The new structure will meet building
and health codes. Plans call for enhanced
security. Offices will be moved to a central
entrance with secured access for all visitors.
The administrative offices will be upgraded by adding a conference room
and nurses station/sick bay. Electrical
services will be upgraded as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Finally, the plan calls for an additional twenty-four
parking spaces.
The cost to taxpayers for the completed project is
24 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
A family with a home valued at $100,000 would pay $5.67 per month or
$68.00 annually. The cost for farmland
is 95 cents per acre in Deer Creek and 87 cents per acre in Mackinaw.
A campaign committee called DCMHS (Devoted
Communities Meet Higher Standards) has been established and is working to successfully inform, and
obtain the communities support to complete the proposed project. Community members can visit www.dcmhsvoteyes.com to learn more about
the proposal, view pictures of the 1914 structure, and see costs to taxpayers.