The proposed 2018 bond issue would cover the scope of work outlined in Phase 2 of the 2014 Facilities Capital Plan and will alleviate capacity issues the District is experiencing in high growth areas of the city. It will also address items listed as priority one through three in DLR’s 2016 Facilities Condition Assessment presented to the Board of Education in August 2017. The facilities assessment has allowed OPS to refine capital improvement scopes of work to focus on critical component replacement and develop a schedule of the District’s needs moving forward. The proposed bond issue will be placed before the voters in May of 2018 in the amount of $409 million.
Between May 2017 and December 2017, OPS and Jacobs shared with the Board of Education, Steering Committee, Citizen Bond Oversight Committee and the community details regarding the size, scope and timing of the Phase 2 bond program, which is summarized below. For detailed information regarding the proposed 2018 bond and the current 2014 bond program, please go to bond.ops.org.
1000 N. Fort Crook Road – South Omaha
Middle Schools
New
42nd and U Streets – South Omaha
Capital Improvements, Renovations and Additions
Lewis and Clark and Morton Magnet
High Schools
New
156th and Ida Streets – Northwest Omaha
(Letter of intent with YMCA of Greater Omaha for a shared facility, which would include a 6-lane pool.)
60th and L Streets – South Omaha
Capital Improvements and Renovations
All seven high schools
Alternative Programs
Capital Improvements and Renovations
Blackburn
Relocation
Transition Program from the Paralyzed Veterans of America facility and the Career Center to a new location.
2014 Bond Issue
The 2014 bond issue covered scope of work outlined in Phase 1 of the 2014 Facilities Capital Plan and was a result of the District’s new five-year Strategic Plan, the new Student Assignment Plan and a RDG assessment of facility needs. The funds were used first and foremost to address fire, life safety, security and technology needs across the district to bring all schools up to current standards. In addition, the schools with the highest priority deficiencies would be renovated, including schools that lacked central air conditioning and those that were still functioning in ‘open plan’ concepts from the 1970s. Land was purchased to build new schools under the Phase 2 bond issue to help alleviate capacity issues and help stem the flow of students opting out to adjacent districts. The work began in December 2014 and will conclude in August 2020. The bond passed in November of 2014 in the amount of $421 million.
Elementary Schools
New
Belle Ryan, Columbian, J.P. Lord, Western Hills Magnet and Yates
Capital Improvements, Renovations and Additions at ‘Open Plan’ Schools
Franklin, Joslyn, Lothrop and Sunny Slope
Capital Improvements and Renovations
Boyd, Crestridge, Dodge, Florence, Gilder, Hartman, Indian Hill, Oak Valley and Ponca
Land Procurement
For two elementary schools in south Omaha (10th and Pine Streets and 1000 N. Fort Crook Road)
Fire, Life Safety, Security and Technology Upgrade
All elementary schools
Middle Schools
Capital Improvements and Renovations
Bryan and Hale
Capital Improvements and Renovations and Additions
Beveridge Magnet and Norris
Fire, Life Safety, Security and Technology Upgrades
All middle schools
Land Procurement
None. The new middle school in Phase 2 would be built on property already owned by OPS at 42nd and U Streets.
High Schools
Capital Improvements, Renovations
Central, North and South
Capital Improvements, Renovations and Additions
CTE Renovation at Benson, additions at Bryan, Burke and Northwest
Fire, Life Safety, Security and Technology Upgrades
All seven high schools and Blackburn Alternative Center
Land Procurement
For two high schools – one in south Omaha (60th and L Streets) and one in northwest Omaha (156th and Ida Streets).
1999 Bond Issue
The 1999 bond issue was the result of the Student Assignment Plan recommendation to bring students back to their neighborhood schools. The work included additional classrooms, remodeled facilities and new schools to help alleviate portable classrooms. Jefferson, Harrison, Mount View and Springville were not originally part of the bond, but were added thanks to savings in inflation by reducing the construction schedule and the interest earned. The bond passed in May of 1999 for a total of $254 million.
Elementary Schools
New
Druid Hill, Gomez Heritage, Liberty, Mount View in collaboration with Boys and Girls Club
Capital Improvements
Jackson, Saratoga, Sherman and Washington
Capital Improvements with Additions
Beals, Belvedere, Castelar, Chandler View, Fontenelle, Jefferson, Harrison, Kennedy, Miller Park, Rose Hill, Springville, Wakonda and Walnut Hill
Middle Schools
New
Buffett Magnet
Capital Improvements with Additions
King Science and Technology Center, McMillan Magnet and R.M. Marrs Magnet
High Schools
Additions with Building and HVAC Upgrades
Bryan, Burke, Central and Northwest Magnet
Purchases
The Mills Building (4301 N. 30 St.) was purchased and remodeled as a temporary location for schools being remodeled under the 1999 bond and any future bond issue.