The message to the De Soto USD 232 board of education Monday was simple: You get what you pay for.

Last month the school board members directed the administration to provide them with a list of things that make building projects in the De Soto school district different than other schools.

In response to their request, facilities director Denis Johnson presented the board with a list of school buildings, their square footage, the year they were bid, their total project cost, their total building construction cost, the cost per square foot and whether a general contractor or construction manager was hired to handle the project.

Johnson pointed out that the total project cost included the site work, which is different for each project, and the furnishings. He said it would be more accurate to compare the cost per square foot, which is calculated using the total building cost.

Inflation and other building projects are the two main factors that affect the price of a new school, Johnson said.

"Look at Prairie Ridge (Elementary)," he said. "In 2003, we built that building for $109 a square foot."

Conversely Horizon Elementary School was built using the same footprint and cost $145.20 per square foot, Johnson said.

In years where there are several building projects, the cost to complete them goes up, like in 2006, Johnson said.

Shawnee Mission USD 512 accepted bids for Nieman and Roseland elementary schools in 2006, but Nieman cost $119.67 per square foot while Roseland cost $132.78.

Johnson said it also was important to note that the district chooses higher quality and more durable materials when outfitting its new buildings.

"When we come up with a cost to build a building our philosophy in the past is try to put good materials in a building, sustainable materials," he said. "Otherwise reoccurring costs for maintenance can come back and bite us."

For example, the district chooses carpet that lasts about 15 years instead of about seven years, which costs about 88 cents more per square foot. The district also includes gymnasiums in elementary schools instead of a combined cafeteria and gym space, which costs about $7 per square foot for additional space.

Board members soon will use the information presented at the meeting to help them develop the next bond referendum, which will go before voters at the Nov. 4 general election.