How are facilities funded? Is the local payoff of bonds separate from operation supplement?
New facilities may be built using Capital Outlay funds or through the issuance of General Obligation (GO) bonds. GO bonds must be authorized by the citizens at a special or regular election. Since 1992, the state has assisted districts in the building of new facilities by providing a level of state aid based upon the wealth of the district. Wealthy districts receive little or no state aid, while poorer districts can receive up to 70% in state funding. The wealth of a district is determined by dividing the assessed value of the school district by the full-time equivalent (non-weighted) enrollment. The districts are rank ordered and the lowest receive the largest amount of state aid. The Andover School District qualified for 34% in state aid for facilities during the 2004-05 school year.
