Coupeville Schools are looking at taking out a state loan to replace the bleachers in the gymnasium.

The loan would be paid back as part of the district’s proposed $5 million bond. Ballots will be mailed to voters April 10.

The district had hoped to use the bleachers through the end of the school year, said Superintendent Jim Shank, but one section of them has broken and is irreparable.

“We won’t be able to use them,” he said. “We’re going to force them out one more time for graduation.”

The bleachers are original to the 1979 structure and the motor used to release the seating cannot be found anymore.

Denise Mehal, business manager for the district, said she submitted an application to the state treasurer’s office for LOCAl funds.

“It doesn’t cost to apply and we get a very good rate,” she said. “Usually, it’s less than 3 percent.”

The loan amount requested is $105,000 that should cover the cost to replace the bleachers.

The state goes out for bid twice a year and the next eligible funds would be distributed in August, Mehal said.

A formal proposal will be presented to the school board for approval during its regular April 27 meeting.

The hope is that if the bond passes April 28 the district can use bond funds to pay off the loan, Shank said.

“It’s nonvoted debt,” he said. “We’ll still have to pay it back.”

The school board also voted Monday to declare the old bleachers as surplus.

The bleachers is one of many needed repairs the district is hoping to make in the coming years.

The bond proposal includes a three phase plan to fix heating and ventilation’s systems in the middle and elementary schools, replace the roof on the middle school and replace the aging track and athletic facilities.

“One of the things I try to emphasize is we’ve gotten good use out of them,” Shank said. “Most concerning are the roof on the middle school and the HVAC. It’s been repeatedly fixed.

“In the end something’s gotta give.”