Board advances lease hearing and resolutions to begin $70 million bond process for Avon High School projects

The Avon Community School Corporation held a public lease hearing and followed with a series of resolutions to advance a preliminary debt issuance process for a multi-part concept plan for Avon High School and related facilities. Staff framed the presentation as the first formal step in issuing debt to fund projects discussed in prior community meetings and workshops.

Dr. Windham described a concept plan that included two practice turf fields to the west, converting varsity baseball/softball to turf while leaving JV fields natural grass, replacing aging bleachers and press boxes, building additional locker-room and restroom facilities, relocating band parking, adding an indoor baseball/softball/golf practice facility, and upgrades to the transportation center. Staff said many facilities are 25–30 years old and cited a wet spring that forced cancellations: "We canceled 19 baseball or softball games," they said. Conceptual site and traffic options — including a possible east-campus road and roundabout coordination with the town — were discussed.

Finance staff presented financing buckets and said the proposal was modeled as a maximum conceptual budget of $70,000,000 "all in" for the high-school projects, transportation upgrades and contingencies. The finance presentation included an illustration showing the district’s existing debt schedule and an assertion that, under the advisors’ model, the proposed issuance could be done "with 0 impact to the taxpayer," while board members and staff noted the district is working toward meeting statutory thresholds on tax rate timing. The board opened the hearing for public comment and, hearing none, approved a resolution authorizing execution of the 4th amendment to the lease to move forward with issuance steps; subsequent motions assigned construction contracts to the building corporation and approved the 15th supplement to the master continuing disclosure undertaking. Each motion passed 3–0.

Staff emphasized the presentations were conceptual; board members requested further design and cost refinement during the coming design-phase recommendations and said the next steps would include selection of design firms and more precise cost estimates.