More Details on Proposed Middle School in Chapin Area Released

More information has been revealed about a new middle school in Lexington-Richland 5.

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner presented an updated proposal for the school that could house nearly 800 students in grades 7 and 8. 

The facility, which is an effort to help relieve overcrowding in some classrooms, would be located near the Spring Hill High School site in Chapin. 

School officials are looking to open the school for the 2015-2016 school year.

The reasons for building the new middle school are as followed: 

• Addresses overcrowding at Lake Murray and Chapin elementary schools as well as Chapin Middle 
• Prepares for the ongoing growth in enrollment in the Chapin cluster
• Decreases the number of portables needed for instruction at Ballentine, Lake Murray and Chapin elementary schools as well as Chapin Middle 
• Allows for more effective utilization of existing space
• Preserves existing attendance zone lines

The number of portables that are in use during the 2012-2013 school year is 81, according to Hefner's written report.

District officials are projecting that number to be reduced to 38 portables. 

Should the board approve the construction of the new middle school, only grades 5 and 6 would be housed at Chapin Middle.

Currently, that school houses grades 6-8. 

Funding (See attached Funding Plan PDF)

District officials estimate the project to cost $28,542,516. 

Money for the new school would come from several sources including funds from the 2008 bond referendum, 8 percent bonds, and some of the general fund balance.

For example, there's $12,923,000 in available funds from the 2008 bond referendum that voters approved for school construction and renovations.

The other funding amount would total $15,619,516, which includes $5 million from the general fund balance. 

Hefner said his team is developing a funding plan that would not call for an increase in millage for debt service. 

While Hefner is proposing to move forward with a new middle school as the district's next construction project, there are still facilities in the district that need attention.

"We know this will not resolve all the facility needs in the district," Hefner said. 

New Elementary School/Other Facility Needs

Among the projects proposed in the $243.6 million bond referendum in 2008 was a new elementary school.

Currently, there is no funding for it, Hefner said. 

School district officials said some current projects including renovations at Chapin High have run over budget, causing the district to pull funds from other projects that was to be addressed with bond money. 

Some other facility needs included an auditorium at Chapin High and upgrades at Harbison West, Nursery Road, H. E. Corley, and Dutch Fork elementary schools.

Board member Kim Murphy asked Hefner if he had considered any other options to address overcrowding in the Chapin area besides building a new school. 

Hefner responded saying he would only consider other options if the board asked him to. 

In his opinion, there was no other option but to build a new school.

District staff will ask for board approval of the project at the next regular meeting scheduled for Jan. 28.