TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- We should've known all along that Nick Saban wasn't going to miss a day's work. He has always appeared more machine than man during his time in the public eye -- a creature of routine and process who'd barely done worse than sniffle during his six national championship runs. He had hip replacement surgery last year, and the day after he went under the knife, his wife found him standing in the driveway, eager to get back to the office.

No, Nicholas Lou Saban wasn't going to miss a football game, and especially not one the magnitude of Saturday night's. At home, against No. 3 Georgia and its coach, Kirby Smart, Saban would find a way to get to Bryant-Denny Stadium. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and three days later he had the three negative tests he needed to return to action. He grabbed a state trooper right after that third test came in, and in less than 30 minutes he was at the team hotel for pregame meetings.

And later that night, after Saban led his team onto the field to a raucous applause, he did what he has always done, besting a former assistant for the 22nd consecutive time in his career. After a so-so start in which his defense struggled with a number of uncharacteristic mistakes, Alabama found its footing and wound up beating Georgia convincingly, 41-24, to remain the only undefeated team in the SEC.

It didn't take long to know Saban was feeling like himself again as he tore into freshman linebacker Will Anderson after a touchdown in the first quarter and screamed bloody murder at a referee after a call for intentional grounding a few minutes later. When a defensive lineman jumped offside on fourth-and-1, triggering an automatic first down, Saban was absolutely beside himself, putting both hands out as if to ask why.

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The perfectionist was back in all his glory.

At halftime, whatever adjustments Saban and his assistants made worked, because the defense went from looking lost to being in total control. After forcing back-to-back punts, freshman nickel back Malachi Moore picked off Stetson Bennett, and running back Najee Harris gladly exchanged the turnover for seven points and a double-digit lead. Then, moments later, safety Daniel Wright picked off Bennett again. And, again, the offense did the rest, as Mac Jones furthered his Heisman Trophy campaign with a fourth touchdown pass, truly putting the game to bed.

Safety DeMarcco Hellams said the defense wanted to make a statement in the second half. He said Saban stressed this was going to be a 15-round fight and to finish the game. And they did, surrendering zero points in the third and fourth quarters.

No, it wasn't Saban pulling Jalen Hurts in favor of Tua Tagovailoa, but it was a heck of a halftime turnaround nonetheless. And if Saban wasn't there, if he hadn't cleared COVID-19 protocol with hours to spare and was watching on TV like the rest the country, who knows if Alabama figures things out?

No disrespect to Steve Sarkisian, who called a brilliant game as offensive coordinator, but he's not Nick Saban. No one can fill those shoes.

Afterward, when Saban spoke to reporters, he didn't dwell on a shaky first half or whatever imperfections there might have been. Instead, he said it was an "obvious great win" and that he was proud of his team's fight.

Mostly, he was proud of how his players handled the distraction of his absence. When he wasn't on the practice field Friday, when his straw hat was so noticeably missing, a source told ESPN it was bizarre and that it felt like an episode of "The Twilight Zone."

Saban appeared healthy during his Wednesday news conference and his radio show the following night, but for three days, the college football world obsessed over Saban's condition and whether he could return.

Saban tried to prepare his players for either eventuality. He told them he hadn't caught a pass or made a tackle in 40 years, so what good was he to them during a game anyway? From afar, he tried to keep them focused on the task at hand.

When Saban showed up at the team hotel before kickoff, the players weren't prepared. Jones said the reaction "was pretty crazy" when Saban stepped into the quarterback room unannounced.

Senior linebacker Dylan Moses said Saban being there for walk-throughs brought an added energy to everyone. Seeing Saban walk through the door, he said, "Our confidence went through the roof."

And that, maybe more than any in-game adjustment or halftime speech, is the real value of having Saban on the sideline: the confidence his presence brings. For 14 seasons now, he has been a fixture at Alabama. As it turns out, not even a positive COVID-19 test can stop him from showing up.

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'Our confidence went through the roof' - Nick Saban returns and Bama keeps rolling - ESPN

In April 2016, the Tesla company revealed that they were working on something new. Up until that point, their focus had always been on electric vehicles, which had earned them quite a reputation among environmentalists and financial experts. They rose success and worldwide fame, and started looking to make use of the worlds greatest renewable resource by creating Tesla-brand solar panels.

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Tesla hyped the panels up significantly but two years later, people still werent convinced. They had claimed that their solar roof panels were designed to be durable and effective, but thus far, very few of them had been installed. It was hard to gauge how durable or how effective they really were. After nearly four years of development, however, it seems Teslas Solar Roof V3 is finally beginning to meet expectations.

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Tesla and its subsidiary, SolarCity, designed their solar roof product to look like a traditional roof. The only difference is the shingles, which are photovoltaic, which means they generate solar power in the same way that traditional solar panels do. The idea was to make a solar roof that was not only effective but aesthetically pleasing. Installing one of these solar roofs replaces an existing roof with a combination of active and inactive shingles.

Active shingles contain solar cells that absorb solar energy to produce energy for your home. The inactive ones function just like regular shingles. They do not produce any energy but keep out water, hail, rain, and other inclement weather in the same way that normal shingles do. Teslas solar roof V3 shingles come with a 150-year weatherization warranty. They can withstand 166-mile-per-hour winds and 1,75-inch hail. While it sounds impressive, though, the Tesla roof tiles do have weaknesses.

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Many of Teslas downsides are shared by other solar companies of the like. For instance, because Tesla panels usually need to be connected to a power grid, they will stop producing electricity during a power outage. This limits who and where a Tesla roof can be installed. If you live far off the grid and wish to install a Tesla roof, you may be out of luck.

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Tesla also has a history of being unreliable when it comes to installing their solar roof products. Many who have ordered Tesla panels at the onset, still have not had them installed; some orders have even been canceled on Teslas end. Whether that is an effect of slow production or their struggles to invent a product that stands out from the competition, is not known.

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Teslas official pricing structure says that the active solar roof tiles cost about $2.85 per watt. Inactive shingles cost around $5.60 per square foot. However, these are not the only metrics to consider when determining the cost of installation. The actual total cost of a Tesla solar roof depends on several factors including the size of your home, needed energy output, location, and roof size.

For a 1,200 square foot home with an electric bill of about $150 per month, the estimated cost for a Tesla roof installation would come to approximately $24,412, with other factors potentially altering the final cost. Replacing roofing materials can amount to thousands of dollars, while federal tax credits for investing in solar power can bring the overall price down. Tesla predicts that a 6.2 KW roof can save upwards of $45,000 on electric bills over the course of a lifetime.

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Traditional 6.2 kW solar systems produce roughly around 10,180 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. This means that the average 25-year savings for a traditional solar system comes out to approximately $48,356.90 in a lifetime. That costs almost $4,000 more than Tesla will save you.

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Not only that, traditional solar panels are far less invasive and do not necessitate an entire restructuring of ones roof. Add to that the proven track record of many solar manufacturers as compared to the uncertainty of Teslas unproven system, and you have a bit of a quandary on your hands.

Unless you are already planning on replacing your roof and investing in solar, it may be prudent to consider alternatives to Tesla solar roof. In the end, the best way to enter into any serious investment is to do your research. Getting quotes from multiple solar providers will allow you to compare installation prices, energy outputs, lifetime savings, and in many cases, monthly costs.

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How Do Tesla Solar Roofs Work? Behind the Car Company's New Innovation - Green Matters

Allplastics Engineering supplied 4.5mm thick polycarbonate panels for a roof replacement project in Barton in the Australian Capital Territory.

The client chose matt polycarbonate, which was cut to 4.1-metre lengths from spools. Installed by Glaziers Pty Ltd, the final result is stunning, and the material has definitely maximised the durability and aesthetics of the structure.

Allplastics polycarbonate UV grade sheets offer excellent light transmittance, outstanding weatherability and long life expectancy. Widely used in roofing, balustrades and glazing applications, the material can stand up to hailstorms or vandalism. Polycarbonate is virtually unbreakable against all kinds of objects, with 250 times higher impact strength than normal glass. A highly flexible material, polycarbonate can also be cut up to 20 metres long and curved without cracking.

For the Barton project, a continuous spool of polycarbonate was utilised to eliminate joints. These spools are available for projects up to 50m long and 2540mm wide, making them ideal for long lightboxes and warehouse roofs where standard sheets may need joints.

In addition to flat polycarbonate sheets, materials for roofing and awnings come in a multitude of options that can be adapted to any architectural design. Allplastics can offer a selection of materials accommodating varying tastes and budgets. These include Multiwall polycarbonate lightweight panels; PEP Core translucent composite panels; STAGE 40 translucent, trafficable, scratch-resistant, anti-slip surface; and Opal polycarbonate.

Choosing the right materials and joining bars for the roof determines the quality of the entire building. Let Allplastics help your buildings get ready to withstand the scorching sun, pouring rain or heavy hail.

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Polycarbonate panels selected for roof replacement in Barton ACT - Architecture and Design

3033 Summit Station Road , Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Welcome home to this exquisite farmhouse property located on 17 beautiful acres just minutes from the VRE, I-95, and shopping! This immaculate farmhouse was built in 1840 and is loaded with charm and character! The property itself is stunning and has a three-stall barn with sliding doors and hay storage, a new 30 by 30 run-in shed, beautiful board fencing (8 acres open pasture, 2 acres wooded), a 40 by 50 steel building with concrete floor, four sliding doors, and large windows! There is a 40 by 50 wood building with a dirt floor that can be used for horse stalls or a small indoor riding area it would also be a great workshop or storage place for a motorhome, horse trailer, or boat! There is a 30 x 50 workshop that is wired with a separate electric meter, so it could be used as a place for your home office! There is a 20 by 20 hobby building with new windows and doors, which could be used as a playhouse, hobby shop, additional office, or storage! There is a 30 by 30 detached garage with three overhead doors and one garage opener.

This property also has a spring-fed pond that has never gone dry! The house itself has over 3,000 square feet with the original heart of pine floors and four fireplaces! A beautiful foyer greets you with a large hall and opens to the formal living room and the family room! The kitchen has been completely remodeled to include granite countertops, upgraded appliances, custom cabinetry, and an amazing layout! Upstairs you will find a lovely primary suite with a private balcony and sitting room to take in the views of your property! There is a designated office with built-in bookcases and a large wrap around desk! All of the windows have been replaced and are thermal, the roof is three years old, and the two heat pumps have been replaced in the last 3-4 years. New siding was installed four years ago! There is an outdoor wood furnace, two acres with invisible fencing, and a spacious covered front porch!

This property also has fruit and nut-bearing trees to include pecan, chestnut, peach, cherry, apple, plum, and elderberry! This truly is a once in a lifetime property!

For more information or to schedule a private tour contact Amy Cherry Taylor at (703)577-0135.

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Home of the Week: Immaculate Farmhouse, Acreage and Outbuildings in Spotsylvania - Fredericksburg Today

Don Magruder| For the Daily Commercial

One of the first things noticed on a house is the roof. Chances are that the average age of older roofs in Lake and Sumter Counties is about 20 years. In other areas of the country, the lifespans of roofs are much longer.

However, in Florida, a combination of harsh tropical weather and unreasonable replacement standards set by insurance companies who want to minimize hurricane exposure is forcing homeowners to replace roofs sooner. Roof replacements are rare events for most homeowners and a lot has probably changed since the last time the roof was replaced on your older home.

Because of changes in technology, building codesand material offerings, homeowners should be wary about paying a roofing contractor to install the same roof with the same method used 20 years ago. Here are the five big changes in roofing since your older roof was originally installed.

The first big change is the quality of roofing shingles. Twenty years ago, 3-tab strip shingles were used by many builders and these shingles as compared to todays architectural style shingles are thinner and have less wind tolerance. Todays architectural shingles are thicker, have higher wind resistanceand are designed to camouflage imperfections in the roof.

The new lines of architectural shingles offer a huge variety of colors and shadowing to enhance your homes curb appeal. When replacing your roof, do not settle for the same old shingle style and color on your roof look at the different options available nowadays.

Shingle warranties have also changed. Twenty years ago, shingle warranties were for 20 years and the warranty typically only covered materials after the first year. Today, manufacturers offer limited lifetime warranties with very affordable upgrades to offer full replacements later in time. Before you commit to a shingle, be sure you understand the warranty and ask your roofing contractor if you can upgrade to a full long-term warranty.

The next change is underlayment. Twenty years ago, 90 percent of the roofs were constructed with 15-pound felt as an underlayment with better homes using 30-pound felt. Yes, 30-pound felt is double the thickness.

The big problem with rolled felt is its failure if the shingles are blown off during a windstorm. Felt paper will tear and rip in the wind if there are not any shingles on top of it. Roofing contractors are now using a synthetic felt, which does not tear if it is exposed to the weather elements. Synthetic felt is the most popular underlayment because a roll is lighter and covers more square footage, which cuts down on the amount of time to install it and accidents associated with it.

The most popular underlayment is peel and stick, which adheres to the decking and will remain in place and protect the deck even if the shingles are blown off. It is a great product that seals nail holes and provides a real moisture barrier for your home.

Not as glamourous but just as important in roofing are the nails and fasteners. In the past, most roof failures have been attributed to poor installation, especially in the area of fasteners. Staples used in the early 1990s were blamed for many failed roofs during Hurricane Andrew. Today, building codes require more nails per shingle and longer nails along with wind mitigation for decking. In most cases, if a shingle fails it is because of the use of incorrect fasteners.

The final big change is the use of metal roofing. Twenty years ago, the majority of residential roofs were constructed with asphalt shingles. Today, a growing percentage are being constructed with metal roofing.

With hidden fastening systems and a multitude of colors, metal roofing is a good alternative. Plus, this type of roof offers a much longer warranty and thus far has not faced the scrutiny from insurance companies as that of their asphalt counterparts. Before you re-roof your home, check into metal roofing it might be worth the extra investment.

As a bonus tip, whenever you re-roof your home, replace all drip edge and valley metals. Some roofing contractors like to cut this corner; however, metal flashing on a roof after 20 years should be replaced due to rusting and pitting. Always ensure your re-roof quote covers everything, including new flashing.

If you are lucky, you will only have to replace a roof once or twice in your adult lifespan. If you do, investigate all the options before you buy.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply and host of Around the House, which can be seen at AroundtheHouse.TV.

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Not your father's roof: Five big changes in recent years - Daily Commercial

As the Milwaukee Brewers get ready for opening day, the Miller Park maintenance crew is busy making sure the retractable roof is in proper working order.

Members of the board that oversees Miller Park approved a plan Tuesday to spend $1.8 million to upgrade the system that controls the ballpark's retractable roof.

Members of the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District board's finance and operations committeesvoted unanimously to spend the money to upgrade the system as part of the 2021 maintenance and improvement plan for the ballpark.

The roof panels are moved by a complex system of motors and drives that haulit along a track.

Much of the controls for the system as well as various parts of the drive system have become obsolete and have reached their usable life after 20 years, said Kristi Kreklow, associate director of the district.

The drive system for Miller Park's retractable roof is being replaced.(Photo: Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The systemwill be upgraded to include the newest technology and hardware and will take about 18 months to complete.

In 2018, workers removedand inspected one of the 10 'bogies' that haul the roof panels into place. The bogie was making unusual noises but was deemed not to be faulty in the $900,000 project.

The spending for the latest project is coming from what's known as the district's segregated reserve fund to which the district and the Milwaukee Brewers each make contributions.

Upgrading the roof's drive and control system has been planned and is not a surprise. Original plans for the stadium called for the systems to be replaced once they turned 20 years old.

The expectation is that the upgrade, once complete, will last another 20 years, said Mike Duckett, executive director of the district.

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Board members also voted Tuesday to spend $1.3 million to replace the ballpark's fire detection system.

The roof control system and the fire detection system upgrades are the biggest ticket items that the board members considered on Tuesday.

The fire detection system also is 20 years old, Duckett said, and replacing it was alsopart of the long-term plan for the upkeep of the ballpark.

The ballpark has about 1.2 million square feet of finished space that the fire detection system covers, Kreklow said.

Thefire detection system was put to use in July 2014 after a middle-of-the-night fire broke out in a restaurant area in the left field areaof the ballpark. The system triggered the ballpark's sprinkler system and alerted Milwaukee firefighters, who responded and extinguished the blaze.

The funds for the upgrades will come, in part, from proceeds of a 0.1% sales tax levied in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee and Racine counties. That sales tax, collected since 1996,was stopped in March. The funds were placed into an escrow account and are being used to maintain the stadium.

The state law that created thetaxallows the proceeds to be used only for costs related to the ballpark.

Among other spending items, members of the board also voted tospend $130,000 on a female locker room after the first female coach in Major League Baseball, Alyssa Nakken, began coaching this year for the San Francisco Giants.

San Francisco Giants first base coach Alyssa Nakken jogs to first base during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in San Francisco, Tuesday, July 21, 2020.(Photo: Associated Press)

Meanwhile, the process of converting the lights that illuminate the playing field to LEDs has begun. The new LED lighting system has been delivered to the ballpark and installation will take place this off-season.

The new lights are expected to be ready for Opening Day 2021. The project has qualified for a $90,000 Focus on Energy rebate due to the energy savings that the new LEDswill provide, according to the stadium district. That money will be used tohelp offset the project cost.

The Milwaukee Brewers ballpark will be renamed American Family Field, beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, when American Family Insurance takes over the naming rights.

Thousands of signs must be changed at the ballpark, which has been known as Miller Park since it opened.

State law prevents the stadium district from incurring any expenses related to the name change, Kreklow said.

The Brewers pay a $1.2 million annual rental fee to the stadium district, and board members are expecting the ball club to ask for some form of rent forgiveness as a result of the pandemic-shortened MLB season in which fans were not allowed to attend games.

During the teleconference meeting on Tuesday, board members asked whether rent forgiveness or deferral was allowed under the lease agreement with the team.

While there is no specific clause in the lease that mentions a pandemic, there are other portions of the lease that likely address such a situation and would allow some sort of rent forgiveness or deferral, Duckett said.

Board members said they would take up the issue when and if the Brewers formally request it.

Contact Joe Taschler at (414) 224-2554or jtaschler@gannett.com. Followhimon Twitter at @JoeTaschler orFacebook atfacebook.com/joe.taschler.1.

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Drive system on Miller Park roof to be replaced as part of planned ballpark maintenance, board members decide - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

How to install metal roofing: Pros and cons, costs and a DIY-replacement

When someone is seeking advice on how to do roofing, which type of material is the most cost-efficient and which strategy to choose (DIY or hiring experts), it means that they have already stepped on the path of replacing a roofing system. Today, there is an array of roof types, and each of them has its advantages and drawbacks. When considering metal roofing as the most optimal type for a house, then its better to be ready to discover its strengths and weaknesses. Weighing all pros and cons of its installation, its possible to make a wise home renovation choice. The opetions are zinc, copper, aluminium and steel roofs.

Advantages of metal roofing

Investing in a new project you may be surprised at how much does metal roofing cost, as even if the price is the same or even higher than in shingle roof, you will get an excellent ROI in the long-run, as due to the reflective qualities of metal, it is more energy-efficient material that promotes the reduction of energy bills. And even if shingles roofs offer options for a variety of styles to meet the design expectations of homeowners, metal tends to be more impact resistant, durable, and eco-friendly. Also, the benefits of metal roofing types include:

Metal roofs sound to be like perfect material. However, before investing in Norfolk roofing installation services, it is still recommended to take into account some of its disadvantages. First of all, it will be a source of extra noise during rain or hail. Some explain this drawback by the lightness of the material, others think that poor installation can cause lots of annoying noises. The second option is more likely to happen, as in case of a professional approach and choosing the optimal thermal insulation material, extraneous sounds, as a rule, are not heard. Also, due to certain chemical properties, the iron roof still oxidizes over time, therefore it must be treated with certain anti-corrosion compounds or paint. Regular preventive maintenance to enlarge its lifespan and ensure ideal protection of your home from elements is required.

How to install metal roofing safely?

If you want to learn how to install metal roofing on your own, its important to be ready to pick the right metal option, to ensure correct measurement, to find suppliers of quality materials, remove old roof structure, take care of ventilation. Also, its important not forget about flashing to direct water and excessive moisture away from the roof to avoid leakage and damages. If you forget to include important components into the plan, you will fail to implement a DIY method. Its quite a complicated task that requires skills, knowledge, time, and resources. Also, its important to keep in mind safety considerations, as lots of Americans ignore security tips and often get injured while replacing or repairing this exterior element. Thus, make a smarter decision and hire experts like UBrothersConstruction to ensure great outcomes and hassle-free project execution.

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How to install metal roofing: Pros and cons, costs and a DIY-replacement - The Upcoming

HAMPTON U.S. Army veteran Charles Emmons has a new roof over his head, thanks to Total Roof Solutions, an Owens Corning Platinum Roofing Contractor, as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project.

Through a partnership with Purple Heart Homes, Emmons was selected and approved as the recipient for the roof replacement.

The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude and honor the veterans who served our country and the families who support them. Since the inception of this program in 2016, more than 225 military members have received new roofs.

For more information on the Roof Deployment Project, or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact us at roofdeployment@owenscorning.com.

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free.Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution today.

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Hampton veteran receives new roof installed by Total Roof Solutions - Henry Herald

Q: I have a 10-year-old Ford E250 van and the roof is starting to rust. I took it to a body shop and they told me this was going to be a big job. They werent really interested in trying to fix it.

I love this big van, it carries people, stuff and tows my boat with ease. Any alternative ideas that might work?

A: Rust repair is all about the preparation. Could a good body shop sand, repair, prime and paint the roof of your van? Im sure they can. The problem is unless they routinely do restoration work many body shops would rather repair crash damage.

One possibility that I have seen work is painting the roof with the same material that is used for pickup truck bed-liners. The roof will have a slight pebble finish. Since you cant see the top of the roof, it wouldnt matter. The spray-on bedliner is a fairly low cost and virtually permanent repair.

Q: I'm moving to a house on a hill, and I am considering snow tires after I got stuck near my house in a freak snowstorm last year. According to a consumer magazine, though snow tires do better in snow and ice than all-season tires, they do much worse than all-seasons in wet braking.

Since a lot of the snow I'd be driving in would be salted, and since rain seems more common in winter now with global warning, would you bother? I drive a 2009 Toyota Prius and it is my only car.

A: If the type of driving takes you out before the snowplows and the hill you live on is slippery, then there is nothing better than four winter tires.

All-season tires are a compromise, they have to work year-round. Although, with most drivers they tend to be okay in deep snow or very cold temperatures, they are not quite as good.

The publication is correct that dedicated winter tires are not quite as good in wet weather, but my experience is they are still quite good.

If this was my Prius, I would install four winter tires near the end of November and take them off mid-April.

Q: For my next winter car, I want to move in the direction of electric but read that electric cars are considerably less efficient in cold weather.

Would you consider a front-wheel drive electric car with winter tires such as a Hyundai Kona over a typical all-wheel-drive with a gasoline engine for driving in the Northeast?

There are few all-wheel-drive electrics, but I see plug-in hybrid vehicles as placeholders albeit a step in the right direction.

Lastly, how long before we see fluoride-based batteries replace the current options in cars?

A: Battery development is constantly changing. In just the 30 years or so that I have been involved with electric vehicle, batteries were the biggest issue. In fact, from the turn of the last century until the 1990s, batteries for electric cars didnt change that much.

Today, it is the combination of new battery designs coupled with sophisticated battery management systems which is making some of the biggest improvements in electric vehicles.

One of the latest near-future battery developments comes from a company called Nanotech Energy that is using graphene-based energy storage, rather than Lithium-Ion.

Electric vehicles are getting better all the time with many offering range in excess of 250 miles. The Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, Tesla Model-Y and the Chevrolet Bolt are all god choices.

John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Doctor. He has more than 40 years of experience in the automobile industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Write to John Paul, The Car Doctor, at 110 Royal Little Drive, Providence, RI 02904. Or email jpaul@aaanortheast.com and put "Car Doctor" in the subject field. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.

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Car Doctor: Solution for rusted roof - The Providence Journal

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Arrowhead High School(Photo: Bob Dohr / Now News Group)

When voters head to the polls on Nov. 3, in addition to deciding on the next U.S. president, voters in the Arrowhead Union High School District will also have to decidewhether to approve a $1.7 million per year referendum.

Here's what voters should know before going to the polls:

If approved, the referendum would address only the highest prioritized needs of technology, facility and site infrastructure improvements.

What it would do: Specifically, the referendum would replace the oldest, leaking areas of roofing; replaceand repairthe most aging air handling units for heating and air conditioning; updatetechnology infrastructure for safety and up-to-date usage; updateor repairsome building structures; repair or replacesome parking lots/roadways and improvesome stormwater management systems, according to information on the district website.

What it would not do: The district said the referendum wouldnot fix all ongoing infrastructure updates and repairs; would not pay for operating costs, including utilities, supplies, employee compensation, programs or services for students; would not add new structures such as new building/storage additions, new theater, new pool or new athletic facilities and would not provide major classroom or instructional upgrades.

The referendum carries a tax impact of 25 cents per $1,000 of property value,which the district said would maintain the 1999 referendum debt payment amount for another five years.

A homeowner with a $300,000 home would pay $75 per year toward the referendum. That is justpart of the total tax rate for the school district, however.

If the referendum passes,the school district tax rate is expected to be $2.91 per $1,000 of property value for the 2020-21 school year.

If the referendum does not pass, the 2020-21 school year tax rate is expected to be $2.66 per $1,000 of property value.

The 2019-20 tax rate was $2.88 per $1,000; in 2018-19, it was $3.07 per $1,000.

Arrowhead Superintendent Laura Myrah said the district's 2020-21 budget has not been finalized yet because the statehas not yet released final aid amounts to schools. She said the state must do so,by law, by Oct.15.Myrah said the district will then make any adjustments to its budget for the Arrowhead School Board to review and then approve at the end of October.

Since the district's voters lastpassed a referendum in 1999, the school's basic building, site and technology infrastructure has aged and become outdated, according to the district.

In the last 12 years, the district has completed $16.4 million in capital projects from its operating budget, an average of about $1.4 million per year. As district funding from state and federal sources decreases, the district said itcannot continue to pay for the increasing number of necessary infrastructure improvements without directly affecting the budget allocated to instructional programs and services for students.

Arrowhead's 1999 referendum was for 20 years with a $1.7 million repayment expense per year;the last payment on that loan was made in March. If this referendum passes, the district would extend the payments, leaving no long-term debt and no interest payments.

The district also said its costs have been increasing for expenses such as health insurance, transportation/busing, utilities, liability/workers' compensation insurance and textbooks. At the same time, the district said revenue from the statehas been decreasing, based primarily on declining student enrollment.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, school district revenue limits are established based on three factors: enrollment, an inflationary increment and each district's prior year controlled revenue.

The district has taken on numerous strategies in an attempt to balance the budget, including: deferringfacility infrastructure and capital improvement projects; sharing services with other districts, such as health insurance and busing; reducing faculty and support staff and increasingclass sizes; reducing staff benefits; maintainingfewer administrator positions than the regional average; continuingcompetitive bidding for projects over $15,000; implementing energy savings strategies; freezing classroom/department/co-curricular budgets; solicitingdonations; increasing fees for parking and co-curricular participation and enhancing marketing strategies to increase student enrollment.

The most recent referendum question voters decided on was in April 2017. That year, voters turned down a $36.68 million referendum that would have been used for campus maintenance improvements and upgrades in instructional areas.

In November 2016, voters turned down a $64.7 million referendum that would have paid for classroom and instructional renovations, as well as a new swimming pool and expanded auditorium.

ContactAlec Johnson at(262) 875-9469 oralec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/news/merton/2020/10/08/what-know-arrowhead-union-high-school-district-referendum/5899527002/

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Here's what to know about the proposed $8.5 million Arrowhead Union High School District referendum - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel