Henry-Senachwine CUSD #5

Henry-Senachwine School District #5 – Master Facility Planning - Update

At the November 20th Board of Education meeting, representatives from BCA Architects and Midwest Construction Professionals were in attendance to provide an update on the design and development phase of the project work. Also, the Henry-Senachwine Board of Education held a funding bond hearing, took action to declare its intent to proceed with financing, and passed a resolution to start a 30-day petition period. The current timeline will allow for work on a new high school academic wing addition to begin in the Spring of 2025, with the intent of the high school addition being completed for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The Henry-Senachwine School Board has been studying its schools and facilities for some time and believes investing in a new high school academic wing addition is in the best interest of the students, staff, and community. The Board has worked with an architect team to design a solution that can be funded within the $18.2 million dollar borrowing limit of the District that does not mandate a referendum vote. Solutions exceeding this amount would require a referendum vote.

• The current high school is an aging building from 1952 that does not meet the education needs of the students and staff. Basic recommended repair work and upgrades to plumbing, roofing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, technology, classrooms, labs, and various extracurricular spaces at the current high school are estimated to cost between $8 - $11 million.

• Whether it be investing in a new $18 million high school addition or funding the $8 - 11 million in foundational, required repairs of the old 1952 building, there will be an increase in property taxes to fund the cost. The District believes that investing in a newer addition, one that meets the educational and curricular needs of the students and staff, is a better path forward than spending significant funds to repair an aging, 1952 academic wing.

• If a petition is filed that requires the District to go to a referendum, the current project timeline will be pushed back, most likely increasing costs due to the result of building a new addition at a later date (if the referendum passes), or performing the many nondiscretionary required renovations to the current building over multiple years.

• Keeping schools in our community is a priority of the District. Having schools in our community keeps students close to their families, community, and strengthens property values. Investing in a newer facility will put our schools and community in a better position to be considered in the event school consolidation is required in the future. There is little to no chance an aging 1952 building would be considered in the event of a school consolidation.

• Over the last decade, the District has prioritized keeping property taxes comparatively low, as you can see in the 2023 school district property tax rate comparison below. As a result, minimal capital investments have been made at the current high school, thus creating the current backlog of foundational and health-life-safety renovations currently required.

The District will continue to provide updates on its master facility planning on its website at www.hscud5.org , under the tab “Master Facility Planning”. We will continue to meet monthly and welcome public attendance at the meetings.

Sincerely,

Mr. Randy Witko, School Board President
Mrs. Angela Earles, School Board Vice President
Mr. Jeremy Kiesewetter, School Board Treasurer
Ms. Mary Jo Klein, School Board Secretary
Mrs. Lori DeWeerth, School Board Member
Mr. James Downey, School Board Member
Mrs. Melissa Thompson, School Board Member
Dr. Michael Miller, Superintendent