District, city officials discussing options for ballot measures in April 2025

By Jazmine Knight

With the district’s long-range plan continuing to develop, a bond for the youth sports arenas could potentially stand in the way of it earning voter approval. While this may cause stress for taxpayers, district and city officials are looking to find the best path forward for voters.

“We kind of talked about strategically how we could avoid putting something on the (April 2025) ballot at the same time, because it would be a big ask of the taxpayers,” said Gabe Edgar, St. Joseph School District superintendent.

Currently, officials are trying to split the two issues into different election sessions to ease the pocketbooks of taxpayers.

Edgar said if the long-range plan is approved, the district will then determine if they can be ready for an April 2025 election.

“If the timing’s right for us, and it looks like we can make that work, then I think, they would allow us to go on in April of ‘25,” Edgar said.

If the district is unprepared, then the city will swoop in to secure the spot on the April 2025 ballot. So far, both parties are still awaiting certain approvals.

“Once the long-range plan is approved, we’re going to ask the public for something,” he said. “Whether that’s April of ‘25 or April of ‘26 or November of ‘25 or August of ‘25. That’s where it gets kind of tricky.”

Edgar said with bonds, you need either a 4/7 or 2/3 vote. While he believes a 2/3 vote is unlikely, he and the city are anticipating a 4/7 vote in April of 2025.

Edgar said he thinks the sports arena would benefit the school district greatly.

“Our students are going to have a better opportunity,” he said. “They both are very important to the St. Joseph community.”

For taxpayers, Edgar said it’s a matter of whether you want to be progressive or not.

“Do we want a progressive school district or do we want, status quo … I think we have a pretty good plan put together and we’re going to try to push that plan,” Edgar said.

Edgar said the long-range plan is projected to be an approval item for the August board meeting.