Schools get OK to apply for bonds

The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday agreed to allow the school division to seek state bonds for renovations at Culpeper County High School.

School Board Chairman George Dasher told supervisors that the interest-free bonds would have a 15-year term, equating to a savings of about $1.7 million in interest.

He also stressed that the applications are competitive and funding is not guaranteed. Applications must be received by Nov. 11.

About $5 million would be used to replace the 40-year-old school’s conventional HVAC system with a geothermal system.

Geothermal HVAC systems use pipes buried in the ground to improve heating and cooling efficiency.

Dasher said another $5 million is available in federal energy grants to replace windows, doors, plumbing and electrical components and the roof with more energy-efficient products.

The improvements are part of a two-year, $20 million renovation plan presented by SHW Group, a firm hired by the School Board to draft a master plan for refurbishing CCHS.

“Clearly, funding this project is the obstacle,” Superintendent Bobbi Johnson said during a break in the meeting. “This gives us the opportunity. I’m very optimistic that we’ll get the award.”

If CCPS cannot obtain the bond, Dasher said the school’s boiler room equipment would still need replacement, to the tune of $955,000 in order to keep the building fully functional.

The School Board unanimously voted late last month to allow Johnson to apply for the funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Gov. Tim Kaine on Oct. 14 announced the availability of $119 million for school systems in Virginia to finance energy-efficient improvements and renovations.

Also Wednesday, County Administrator Frank Bossio told supervisors that the economy is impacting preliminary revenue forecasts for the remainder of this year’s budget and next year as well.

Specifically, Bossio said the reduction in overall vehicle values is likely to impact revenue collected from personal property taxes.

In other action Wednesday, the supervisors:

- Accepted grants to the Sheriff’s Office and approved donations for last month’s AirFest.

- Awarded a contract to Mark III Employee Benefits for insurance consultation services.

- Approved naming the county’s property at 151 N. Main St. the Giles H. Miller Jr. Memorial Building. Miller, who died in 2005 at the age of 102, was known as “Mr. Culpeper” for his decades of service to the community.