GMTCC Prepares for Bond Vote

by AJ de Saint Phalle

The Lamoille Union School District #18 Board of Directors met Tuesday,
November 2, and approved the $14,697,360 Green Mountain Technology and
Career Center construction project. A warning was issued for the 20
year, $8,572,763 bond vote which will take place on Wednesday, December
8. State participation will now amount to 42 percent or $6,124,597.
The initially planned vote on September 21 was postponed when the state,
which had been expected to cover 50 percent, offered just 26 percent.
According to GMTCC Director Joe Teegarden, "The tax rate increase
required will be between one cent and four cents per $100 valuation."
While a total of 16 towns send students to the GMTCC, tax rates will
only go up in the six towns of Belvidere, Cambridge, Eden, Hyde Park,
Johnson and Waterville which are voting on the bond. Students from the
other towns will pay their share in tuition bills.
The project calls for the renovation and expansion of the 40 year old
GMTCC facilities in Hyde Park as well as the construction of a new
building. "We are going to try during the next legislative session, with
Sue Bartlett's help, to increase the state's allowable cost per square
foot since it does not reflect the true costs which are close to $200,"
said Teegarden.
State rates are currently set at $110.50 for renovation and $170.00 for
new construction. Teegarden went on to say that the project has broad
support among area educators including Alice Angney (Superintendent
Lamoille South Supervisory Union), David Ford (co-superintendent,
Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union), the Regional Advisory Board and
many others. "I have not heard a negative word," he added. Asked what
effect the recent defeat of the Chittenden County Technical Center bond
vote might have, he replied, "Neutral. It's not relevant to what we're
doing."
A recent state inspection rated the GMTCC at a factor of 75, with
anything over 50 representing serious problems. The state's worst rating
ever given was 80. As reported here previously, project architects from
Black River Design noted that GMTCC's flooring is almost at the end of
its expected lifespan, ventilation and piping need to be replaced, and
the bathrooms are substandard and not handicapped accessible. After the
expansion, Teegarden said he hopes to pursue the creation of two new
programs: Protective Services and Horticulture.
Public information meetings have been scheduled as follows: November 18
at 7 p.m. at the Cambridge Memorial Gymnasium; November 30 at 7 p.m. at
the Johnson School Library; December 6 at 7 p.m. at the Lamoille Union
High School Library. GMTCC Director Joe Teegarden said he will be
accompanied at these meetings by Dr. Terry Bailey (superintendent
Lamoille North Supervisory Union), Bob Giroux (business manager) and
"possibly some GMTCC program instructors."

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