Over the next week, we will discuss the district's issues with the current HVAC system, the decision to request a bond election to replace the system, and the potential financial impacts of passage or failure of the bond. Today, we will give an overview of three major issues.
Weeping Water Cheer is once again sponsoring Egg My Yard within the Weeping Water District to help fundraise for their new team. Eggs will be candy filled. Sign up using the QR code or contact Coach Abigail Drake for more information
Question #7: Will one stamp cover the postage for the ballot? Yes, one regular postage stamp will cover the postage required to return the ballot to the Cass County Election Office. Remember, ballots must be returned by April 15th.
On Tuesday, April 1st, the Track Meet at Auburn has been moved up to start 1 hour earlier due to impending weather. Field events start at 1:30. Running is expected to start at 3:15.
Congratulations to our Winter ECNC All-Conference honorees! #wwpride #rolltribe
We have had a couple of questions about the bond that we will post over the next couple of days. Questions #5 & 6:
What about the average cost of the Geothermal once it ages? Will it be half of the Annual Utility Maintenance cost, currently?
With assumptions regarding occupancy, weather, utility costs, and performance that can greatly affect payback, we estimate a 30% annual utility savings. We anticipate maintenance to be at or near the industry average of $0.26 per square foot. All systems have performance degradation, however we still have geothermal systems operating at a high performance level constructed in 1994.
We have had a couple of questions about the bond that we will post over the next couple of days. Questions #3 & 4: Why is the well field at the practice field? It is prone to flooding. Why not use the gravel parking lot?
The architects evaluated multiple areas owned by the school, including the grassy areas around the building, the parking lot, and the practice football field. Ultimately, they determined that the practice football field was the best location.
Once a well field is installed, that area cannot be used for future construction. While the school has no current or future building plans, the well field is designed to last 50 years, making long-term flexibility a consideration. The practice field is in a floodplain, so the district will never build there. In addition, the area's higher water table is better for the geothermal system.
Though piping the extra block will incur additional costs, preserving future flexibility was a priority in our decision.
📕📕Book Blast is a fantastic program designed to cultivate a passion for reading among our students. It provides engaging resources and activities that inspire young readers to explore new books and develop their literacy skills. 📕📕 Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents, and community members whose generosity has made this possible. 🤩We are thrilled to announce that we have successfully distributed 375 books to enrich the home libraries of our 142 PreK-5th grade students! Your support is invaluable to us, and we deeply appreciate it!🤩 ❤️ WW Teachers and Students Here is our video Thank You: https://youtu.be/q1auon918oA
Here is the video from the informational meeting. It does an excellent job of describing the problem, the actions taken to address it, and why the BOE decided to pursue the bond. It is worth watching to be informed about the issue.
https://youtu.be/urUJTJDWLLc?si=sLZo3s3pKFB7ILO8
A couple of additional pictures from yesterday's Proclamation Signing by Governor Pillen that our fifth-grade student tellers attended.
Jacob C had the privilege to represent WWPS this morning at a panel on government in Nebraska and interact with Gov. Pillen.
Tonight's 6:00 pm HVAC Bond information meeting will be in the conference room. Enter through door #2 on the south side of the building. It will also be streamed on the school's Facebook page. You can send questions before the meeting to kreiman@weepingwaterps.org
Ballots are arriving in mailboxes. The district will be holding an informational meeting to answer your questions tomorrow at 6:00 pm in the school's conference room. If you are not able to attend, we will be streaming the meeting live on the school's Facebook page.
We have had a couple of questions about the bond that we will post over the next couple of days. Questions #1 & 2:
Did the board consider repairing the current system? Did the board consider replacing it with rooftop units and a forced air system? Most, if not all, new construction installs forced air systems.
The board asked the engineers and architects to review all HVAC system options that made sense for our building size and climate, including the possibility of repairing the existing system. They presented three options:
Repairing the Existing System - The estimated cost for repairs was approximately $3,000,000. This included fixing all defective valves and making necessary upgrades to address extreme temperature fluctuations-issues that should have been accounted for during the original installation. However, these repairs would be made to a ten-year-old system with a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. The architects believed this was not a wise investment and the board agreed.
Replacing with Traditional Rooftop Units - This was the most expensive option. At the time of the study, it would have cost about $1,000,000 more than the geothermal option due to the heavy construction needed to install ductwork in the 1939 and 1956 buildings. Additionally, this option did not qualify for the $1,300,000 tax credit and would not provide the 30% reduction in annual energy costs that the geothermal system offers. It also had the highest installation costs, making it the most invasive option and disruptive to school operations next year.
Geothermal System - While not the cheapest option upfront, this provides the best long-term value for taxpayer money. The infrastructure has a life expectancy of 25 years, and the well field is expected to last 50 years. The tax credit and energy cost savings will benefit the school and the community. Both the board and I agree this is the best choice among the three options.
Parents and Students, due to the number of school days missed for severe weather, May 9th will now be a student attendance day. Please plan accordingly.
Here is a one-page informational guide about the Weeping Water HVAC Bond.
WW High School would like to remind everyone that tomorrow, Tues, Mar 25 is Testing Day starting at 8:00 am. Please remind students to get a good night's sleep and bring a snack and drink tomorrow for break. Juniors will be released upon completion of the ACT test. Go Indians!
Weeping Water Public Schools will hold an informational meeting on March 27th at 6:00 pm in the Conference Room concerning the upcoming April 15 bond election to fund the replacement of the school's HVAC system. This meeting will provide details on the bond proposal and allow for questions. All community members are encouraged to attend. Additional information can also be found on the school website at https://www.weepingwaterps.org/page/2025-bond
Today we were finally able to spill the beans that Mrs. Kim Hammer is the 2024-25 NRCSA Gary Fisher Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year! We are so honored to have her in our Tribe!! #wwpride
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 20th, will be a typical 8:00 a.m. start. Be careful driving to school. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in the morning!
