RELEASED - Macon Superintendent and Attorney Compile Information Pertaining to Possible Redistricting

Shortly after eight this evening, Macon School Board President, Donny Wyatt, upon request, sent me information that Macon Superintendent Scott Jarvis and Macon R-1 School Attorney had complied to be made public at this time. Both petitions for redistricting have been certified in their respectful counties (Macon and Shelby), thus, voters will be faced with the ballot proposal of redistricting in the August Election. The following is the information released by Mr. Jarvis and the Attorney:

"Changing District Boundaries (Clarence)

New Revenues:

While the District does not have concrete information at this time, the Macon School District would receive approximately $650,000.00 annually from the addition of new assessed valuation.

The Macon School district would receive approximately $250,000.00 annually in Railroad and Utilities money from the boundary change if it occurs.

Based on an increase in enrollment of 150 students, the Macon School District would receive approximately $1,100,000.00 annually from the additional enrollment from the addition of the Clarence area. There are approximately 200 students in the area being considered for the re-districting, but 150 students was used as a conservative estimate.

Based on the above calculations, the Macon School District could receive an additional $2,000,000.00 annually if this issue were to pass.

The students living in the Clarence area that would be affected by re-districting could be absorbed in our district fairly easily once our new elementary addition is completed. The district may have to hire additional teachers to handle the new enrollment; however, the cost of new positions would be minimal compared to the new revenue that, based on the numbers above would be an additional $20,000,000.00 projected over ten years.

Cost to District:

The Macon School District would need to hire approximately two additional bus drivers for a total cost of $52,000.00 annually.

The district would need to purchase approximately two new buses at a cost of approximately $170,000.00. These buses would need to be replaced every five to six years, making this cost approximately $340,000.00 over ten years.

Based on the increased enrollment, if the Macon School District needed to hire four additional teachers, the approximate total cost would be $200,000.00 a year. The District may not need four additional teachers, but this number was projected as a conservative estimate.

Based on the above calculations spread over ten years, the cost of the boundary change to Macon School District would be approximately $2,860,000.00.

When you compare the potential revenue over a 10 year period versus the potential expenditure over the same period of time there is a net gain of approximately $17,140,000.00.

These numbers do not take into account the cost of maintaining the Clarence Elementary building.

There are other factors the Macon School District must consider related to the change in school district boundaries. If the boundary change were to take place, the Macon School District would be required to make “just and proper adjustment and apportionment” of the property and indebtedness of the Shelby County R-IV School District. If the Shelby County R-IV School District holds debt at the time of the apportionment, Macon School District may be required to pay a portion of that debt. On the other hand, Macon School District would also be entitled to a portion of Shelby County R-IV’s property, including fund balances, as a result of the boundary change. I am currently working with an attorney to discuss the possible outcomes, but there is no exact cost estimate at this time because many factors are unknown.

Due to the timing of this election and the new construction project we are starting, we would need to leave the Clarence elementary open for one year. There would be a cost associated with leaving the elementary building open for a year, but at this time, that cost is also unknown. However, the new revenue we would receive would cover the cost of operating the school for a year.

If the Shelby County R-IV School District starts construction of their building project before the August 7, 2018, election the tax payers of Macon County R-1 School District could be required to pay a portion of the debt incurred up until the election if the issue passes. I do not think the Shelby County R-IV School District should start their building project until after the results of the August election.

I have been asked several times what the Macon County R-1 School District would do if the boundary change occurs. Things we would consider if the boundary change were effected would be whether all students would be required to transfer from Shelby County R-IV, or if special consideration would be made to allow high schoolers to make a one-time election as to which district they’d like to attend, what date the students would begin as students of Macon County R-1 School District, and how the District would utilize the

Clarence Elementary Building. As the superintendent, I can only make recommendations to the Board of Education. The Board of Education would have the final say on ultimately what would happen.

As I stated before, the situation we are currently in is unusual and there are not many examples to follow. The information I have shared may not be exact, but it is my best guess on the issue. I am currently working with a school attorney in an attempt to give the voters in Macon the most accurate information I can. If the information changes or becomes more accurate I will share it with the voters of Macon County R-I School district."

The Macon R-1 School Board has stated that they will remain neutral on this issue and will only provide facts.