Fort Zumwalt School District

At their March meeting, the Board approved the sale of $50 million in bonds for the continued work voters approved in 2022 when they passed FZ Prop 4. The Board heard from Lorenzo Boyd of Stifel Financial, who reported that the district's AA- rating is among the top 15 percent of all school districts who have a rating from Standard and Poors. In addition, the latest sale is planned to be paid off in only eight years, saving interest payments. The bond issuance followed a January update from Dr. Paul Myers, Superintendent.

Overall, FZSD has been consistent with architect/engineer estimates for projects corresponding with bids and final costs, Myers said. Inflationary pressures are noticeable in varying degrees on all projects. “Regardless of what project you do, inflationary pressures are obvious,” he said. “It’s all more expensive than it was five years ago. But, when you have good estimates derived by appropriate professional architects and engineers, they are hitting that mark.”

FZ Prop 4 was a $125 million no-tax-levy-increase bond issue voters passed in 2022 (68 percent Yes, 42 percent No). Some of the work completed so far includes:

• Addition at the Mike Clemens Center for Adaptive Learning

• Multi-Purpose storm shelter addition at Pheasant Point Elementary

• Final touches during the week of March 24 should complete the addition at North High.

• Phase I of North Middle is complete. Phase 2, the demolition of the old two-story wing and construction of additional parking, should be completed this year.

• HVAC replacements and upgrades have been completed at:

  • North High

  • Dardenne Elementary

  • Hawthorn Elementary

  • Lewis & Clark Elementary

  • St. Peters Elementary

  • Twin Chimneys Elementary

• Myers said that accelerating our HVAC work has mitigated some impact of inflation in that area. It has also improved the learning environment for students and teachers. Four more schools will have HVAC replaced or upgraded this summer:

  • Forest Park Elementary

  • JL Mudd Elementary

  • Mid Rivers Elementary

  • South Middle

• More than $1 million in new instruments have been delivered to middle and high school performing arts programs.

• Updates have been made in each high school auditorium, as well as to fields, courts and gymnasiums across the district.

• The district has completed three different types of storm shelter designs at Pheasant Point, North Middle and North High. “One of the things that has been pretty evident, especially at the elementary level, is that the design is appropriate,” Myers said. “But seeing what North Middle has taught us about options, we could have some flexibility to explore the most efficient designs for future projects.”

Other work this summer will include:

• Painting and interior work, as well as work to the tennis courts at East High

• Resurfacing front parking lot and bus lanes at Emge Elementary

• Roofing at West High

• Back parking lot replacement at West Middle

• Construction of the new Transportation Center. Work is underway near the intersection of Salt River and Iffrig roads. Once completed, work can begin on the swimming pool at the site adjacent to North High.

With an eye on the future, the district has issued a request for proposals for a third-party needs assessment that, Myers said, will be matched with needs that have already been identified for a future bond issue. Those could include:

• Recurring needs such as HVAC upgrades, technology replacement schedules, painting, flooring, parking lots, roofing, athletic and performing arts needs

• Major projects such as safety enhancements, a uniform upgrade to elementary playgrounds, storm shelters, and athletic enhancements

• General facility upgrades such as interior and exterior lighting that can enhance safety; interior and exterior sound and A/V systems (scoreboards, building displays)

Renderings of new Transportation Center, above.