Lone Tree

HVAC improvements have been under discussion in the Lone Tree Community School District for a while. The district's goal is to place an HVAC bond referendum on the ballot this fall.

During a recent special session, the board approved bond language for the HVAC project, which is expected to appear on the November ballot. If approved by voters, construction is expected to begin in 2027.

With two recently appointed school board members, the district wanted to provide additional background on the project. Representatives Brian Steffens and Ethan Backinski of Shive-Hattery attended the meeting to explain the project and answer questions from board members.

Superintendent Tyler Hotz reviewed the history of the project, explaining that discussions date back to 2011 when the district first completed a facilities cost study. He said Emergent completed a facilities study in 2021 before the district transitioned to Shive-Hattery in August 2023.

During the presentation, Shive-Hattery outlined the proposed geothermal HVAC project and the district's plan moving forward. Representatives also discussed the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) process, which was recently approved by the board.

Board President Alex Ogren asked for clarification on the 30% Inflation Reduction Act reimbursement that had been discussed during a previous presentation. Backinski explained how the reimbursement process works.

"You'll have an accounting firm file all of the paperwork, and the money comes back at the end of the project because you have to make sure everything is complete and all the requirements have been met. The Build America, Buy America (BABA) portion takes the longest because a certain percentage of the materials must be American-made, purchased and manufactured in the United States. Once you've dotted your i's and crossed your t's, you'll receive the 30% reimbursement."

Representatives also said the geothermal system is expected to have a life expectancy of about 20 to 25 years.

Board member Alex Lorack asked what would happen if the bond referendum fails.

"That brings up a question I had. If we move forward with the bond and it fails, what's Plan B? Do we just keep limping this thing along, or is it robust enough to keep going?"

Hotz responded that the district would continue maintaining the existing system and complete the required annual training while gathering feedback on why voters rejected the bond. He said the board would then re-evaluate its options, including replacing only the boilers, though he acknowledged that option carries risks because of the aging piping.

When the discussion turned to the proposed bond amount, Hotz said he wanted the figure to begin with a six rather than a seven.

"I thought it was important to keep that first number at six. If we get into the $7 million range, I think that sends a different message than what we've been saying."

Later in the discussion, board members asked how many signatures would be needed before the filing deadline. Hotz said the district needs a minimum of 67 signatures but hopes to collect around 80 as a precaution. The signatures must be submitted before the board's Aug. 17 meeting so the district can notify the Johnson County Auditor by Aug. 26, allowing the bond measure to appear on the November ballot. 

According to the district, the bond would not increase the current tax rate if approved.

Following the discussion, the board approved setting the bond language at $6.9 million, providing flexibility to potentially include three additional projects: heating for the north gym, shop heating and window replacements.

If the district obtains enough signatures, the bond measure will require 60% voter approval to pass.

Shared positions with Highland

Following the recently approved football cooperative agreement, the board also approved shared agreements with Highland Community School District for the nutrition director and football cheer coach positions.

According to Hotz, sharing the nutrition director position is expected to save the district approximately $20,000 to $25,000.

Under the agreement, Lone Tree and Highland will split the nutrition director position equally, with Erik Isenhour serving as Lone Tree's employee. Hotz said he and Highland Superintendent Spencer Lueders agreed that Lone Tree will hold the contract and bill Highland twice a year.

Isenhour will receive a $75,000 salary. Highland will reimburse Lone Tree for its share of the salary and related expenses, including fringe benefits and travel, up to $40,000 annually.

His schedule hasn't been set in stone just yet, but Hotz said Fridays will be spent at Lone Tree and Mondays at Highland, with the remainder of the week depending on where he is needed.

Board member Vida Wollrab asked whether the agreement would be renewed annually, and Hotz confirmed it would be reviewed each spring.

Board member Christina Magruder also asked what would happen if the sharing agreement ended.

"If, after one year, we decide the sharing arrangement isn't working and we're not going to continue it, I would assume his salary would go back from 75% to 50%."

Hotz said the district would first explore other opportunities to continue sharing the position.

"We'd have to have that conversation with him. We'd probably start by looking at other opportunities to share the position so we could keep the savings."

The board approved the nutrition director agreement.

Board members also approved a shared football cheerleading agreement with Highland. 

As previously reported during Highland's July 13 board meeting, Lone Tree's Suzanne Werner will coach the combined football cheer squads. Similar to the nutrition director agreement, Werner will remain a Lone Tree employee while the districts split the cost evenly. Hotz said the agreement will provide some savings but did not provide an estimate.

Hires

The board approved several hires, including the district's new Marketing and Communications Director position. Jeff Yoder was hired for the role at a salary of $8,000.

The board also approved Sophia Evens as yearbook advisor, Austin Dell as junior high head football coach, and Ashley Lee and Donda Nebergall as sophomore class sponsors.

Admission prices

Board members also discussed admission prices for the upcoming school year.

Last year, the district sold 11 family passes, six adult passes and 13 student passes.

The board approved increasing the price of an adult activity pass from $100 to $115 while allowing students to attend all athletic events free during the 2026-27 school year as a one-year trial.

Next meeting

The next regular school board meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. in the school library. The meeting was moved from Wednesday because of scheduling conflicts.