Greater Jasper School Board moves on Ireland Elementary addition

Rendering shows an entry drive and sidewalks and includes new sidewalks and steps; new ADA exterior ramp, easy access to playground and approximately 6,000 square feet of additional space.

An expansion project at Ireland Elementary costing around $2 million was approved by the Greater Jasper Consolidated School Board Monday evening.

The $1.9 million price tag on the expansion will only add enough space to handle the current student population, board president Nancy Habig reiterated during the meeting.

The addition includes four new classrooms, an Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, compliant bathroom and an ADA ramp to a school entrance.

After the expansion, Ireland Elementary will accommodate a student population of 550. Current student enrollment is 551.

Dale Wagner with Gibraltar Designs and Jim Elizondo from City Securities discuss the issues relative to the Ireland expansion, including the path for financing the project.

City Securities estimated a worst-case scenario of property taxes increasing .007 cents per $100 of assessed value. This is for a 10-year bond on about $2 million. City Securities will present additional cost estimates of a 3-, 5- or 8-year bonds and how they will impact interest payments in November.

Wagner explained the new rooms would be better designed for modern teaching methods. He estimated that if construction costs remain stable, it would cost $1,915,000 in hard and soft costs to build.

During the next regular school board meeting, additional information regarding the bonds for the project will be discussed. The school has retained Ice Miller in Indianapolis as bond counsel. No referendum is needed, though, due to the project being under $2 million.