February 28, 2008
Dollars for Toquop Schools

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

School buildings at the Lincoln County Land Act, (aka Toquop) could be necessary by the fall of 2010. Getting the schools built as needed may be made possible by donations to the Lincoln County School District from the project developers. Lincoln County School Superintendent Rick Hardy explained Clark County School District lawyers advised if the developers built the schools, then sold them to the Lincoln County School District, “it could be perceived you’re trying to get around laws that govern school construction in Nevada.” i.e. the open bidding process and issues with the Public Works Board and labor unions. Instead of developers building the schools at Toquop and the County then purchasing the building, school district lawyers suggested it would be better to have the developers donate money to the County to use for the construction of the schools.

Hardy said discussions are presently underway with developers, Lincoln Highlands and Eagle Falls, “about how much help they can give us with the first building.” The purpose, he said, is to allow the schools to go up quickly, ahead of the influx of rapid growth expected at both Toquop and Coyote Springs. The need for schools at Toquop is expected to come first.

The traditional way to build schools has been “bond money” Hardy said, “You have a need, but it may be two years down the road before you can meet the need.” However, at Toquop (and Coyote Springs later), “We’ve got to get money up front so we can get schools built and ready when students are ready to walk in the door,” he added.

The developers at Toquop have not yet told the Lincoln County School District what they think their maximum buildout will be. However, Hardy believes initially an elementary and middle school will need to be available when people start to move into the residential areas. A high school would also be needed, but perhaps a bit later.

When the project at Coyote Springs is fully completed, Hardy says a modest estimate to serve the needs is upwards of 50 schools. Hardy believes it might by 4-5 years before schools are necessary at Coyote Springs, but at Toquop, the need could be as soon as the fall of 2010.