At the regular June Rolla Board of Education meeting, the Board discussed options available for financing capital projects, identified by the 2007-08 Community survey.
Results from the survey determined that building new science classrooms and labs at the high school and completing updates to the current science labs ranked as the highest priority.

A new cafeteria and kitchen at the Rolla Junior High came in second and replacing the modular classrooms with a new, attached brick building at the Middle School came in third.

A conceptual project budget outline from Hoener Associates Inc., was reviewed by the board giving them an idea of projected costs for the  capital improvements above as well as a conceptual project budget outline for a new auditorium also ranked on the survey.

Estimated construction and soft cost sub-totals for improvements at the Middle school are between $1,652,400 and $1,750,000. Those costs include basic building cost, additional concrete sidewalks, stairs, and ramps, site utilities,(to extend fire loop) and site development costs to raise elevation.

Estimated construction and soft cost sub-totals for improvements at the Junior High are between$5,076.400 and $5,400.400. Those estimates would include basic building costs, renovation of the kitchen and cafeteria as well as administration, site grading, parking and service drive, curbs and sidewalks, a canopy, a retaining wall, site utilities, food service equipment, and rock removal, contingency and inflation, and architectural, engineering, surveying and soft costs.

Estimated construction and soft costs for improvements at the High School are between $1,300,000 and $1,404,000. These estimates do not include the auditorium costs. Included are basic building cost, concrete sidewalks, and curbs, utilities extensions, science equipment, structural concrete floor for future second floor, a canopy, contingency and inflation costs, architectural, engineering, surveying and soft costs.
A conceptual project budget outline for a Rolla High School Auditorium also was available for the board to view.

“That needs to be yanked, it’s a nice idea but you’re not going to get voters to pay four million dollars for an auditorium,” said board member Connie Gaddy.
Board member Jamie Myers asked about the possibility of going to Rolla High School Alumni and speaking with them about giving back to their hometown school.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say they would have loved to donate to their High School more than their College,” said Meyers.

Dr. Jerry Giger, Superintendent asked Meyers if he ever considered the possibility of a “Meyers Auditorium” in the Rolla School District.

Meyers responded he would love to make that possible if only he were in another profession.

“Seriously though, I realize the money isn’t going to be easy to raise but people could see where their money is going. I think it’s an untapped potential,” said Meyers.
The subject of any possible grants also was discussed.

“Unfortunately grants are almost non-existent for bricks and mortar,” said Giger.
In order to finance these projects the board looked at the feasibility of a future bond issue.

If that were to occur, the earliest projection discussed for such a bond would be April of 2009.

Three possible scenarios were shown to the board:
An analysis with a no increase to the debt service levy, meaning no increase to the rate, but an extension of time of 20 years would bring in another $6 million for capital improvements to the district;An analysis for a $0.10 levy increase could bring in $11.5 million; and a $0.20 levy increase could bring in $17 million for capital improvements.
No action was taken, but the board discussed the importance of getting the message out to patrons.

“I think it’s important to let people know that we’re hoping for the best, but we have to start planning now,” said board member  Kelly Long.