WP board okays financing for facility upgrades in Wauneta

    After years of discussion, the WP Board of Education took a step last week toward some facility upgrades.
    At a special board meeting last Thursday, two resolutions were approved on unanimous votes that will provide up to $4.3 million in financing for the improvements.
    All of the upgrades will be done at the Wauneta facility, according to discussion at a tour of the WP attendance center in Palisade last month.
    Tobin Buchanan with First National Capital Markets was at the meeting last week to review both resolutions with the board.
    The first resolution provides for up to $1.1 million in limited tax obligation school bonds.
    An exhibit as part of the resolution says the projects to be financed will include securing the entrance at the existing building, fire sprinklers, a new elevator and restroom renovations to be ADA-compliant.
    A second resolution passed last week sets up a leasing corporation, which would provide for additional financing for the school’s plans. It, in effect, creates a non-profit organization, Buchanan said, which would be tax exempt.
    If that plan proceeds, the amount discussed was up to an additional $3.2 million.
    The second resolution adds it is in the best interest of the district to “construct and equip an addition to its existing facility that will include a connecting corridor, gymnasium and ancillary facilities, commons/cafeteria area and kitchen/food service area,” and “to acquire land necessary for such a project, if necessary.”
    Board President Allison Sandman said last month after a tour of the Palisade school building that no decisions have been made on the future of either attendance center.