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Task force releases athletic complex naming right prices

By Kate Hayden, khayden@charlescitypress.com

The projected cost of a future athletic complex for Charles City students will be between $1.1 million and 1.2 million, the Charles City Community Board of Education heard on Monday.

That estimate is based on a simple plan the athletic complex subcommittee used to price naming rights on aspects of the complex, which the school board approved during Monday’s meeting.

Donors who wish to seek naming rights have options ranging from $25,000 to sponsor a score board or press box, to $500,000 to name the entire complex in perpetuity. Naming rights on donations between $25,000-50,000 would have 10-year sunsets to allow the district to raise ongoing funds for complex maintenance.

The design plan includes aspects that the district can leave out or do differently to save costs, but the subcommittee doesn’t anticipate modifications at this time, Athletic Director Todd Forsyth said. The subcommittee did not release design plans during Monday’s presentation.

“It needs to be a community effort, but it can be a standout for our community. This could be something very special,” Forsyth told the school board.

FACILITY UPKEEP

The Board of Education approved maintenance projects on four school roofing sections for the 2018 summer break. All four of the projects will be paid by physical plant and equipment levys (PPEL), Superintendent Dan Cox told the board.

The project list includes three sections of the high school roof over the south wing, Cox said, and is a continuation of work in previous years. None of the roof sections would be demolished in a potential renovation of the high school.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Board members approved setting a date to lobby at the state Capitol once the Iowa Legislature is in session, starting in January.

Board members have lobbied on behalf of the Charles City Community School District for the last three years, Cox said. He agreed to setting 2018’s date in the third or fourth week of January.

• Board members voted to offer early retirement policies with an incentive of $35,000 to licensed employees for the 2017-18 school year in advance of expected budget cuts, following declining enrollment and low supplemental state aid.

• The board also tabled discussion on a change in how public comments are made during a meeting. Board members will address public comment policy during the regular meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 8.

Board President Jason Walker proposed allowing up to three minutes for speakers to ask questions or comment at the start of regular board meetings. Current board policy allows two minutes per speaker, and the speaker must wait until the board begins discussing the agenda item in question.

• The Board of Education will have a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, to discuss phase II design plans for the high school’s potential renovations, as well as plans regarding the 500 North Grand building.

The district will announce closer to the date whether the meeting will be in the seventh grade learning studio at the middle school, or in the media center at the high school.

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