SJSD officials break down what happens after the results of Prop 2
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- With the election less than a week away, the results of the Proposition 2 bond measure are now in the hands of voters.
In previous News-Press NOW reporting, we've broken down some of the costs, amenities offered and what the measure's passing would mean for the South Side.
Timeline for a 'yes' vote
While a 'yes' vote would support the construction of a new high school, with potential for a second one, restructuring won't begin immediately if the measure is approved.
The St. Joseph School Board has narrowed down an area south of U.S. Highway 36, where it wants to build the first of two proposed new high schools.
If the Prop 2 measure passes, the school board would purchase the land needed to build a new high school.
Reconfiguration of district boundaries would happen ahead of the 2028-2029 school year. A new high school in the south part of the city is expected to be completed before the fall of 2028, while a new high school somewhere north of Highway 36 would be completed either in the fall of 2035 or 2036.
After the first new high school is built, the board would evaluate the need for another bond to support a new high school in the north.
"Generically, it would be the one north of Highway 36," said Mike Moore, SJSD school board vice president. "Obviously, we don't know exactly where yet, but the 60-cent ask on the ballot kind of sets us up to do a second school in a reasonable time frame."
Timeline following a 'no' vote
A "no" vote would have the district reconfigure boundaries ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.
Central and Lafayette would be used as the city's two high schools going forward.
Voters will then be asked to either deny or approve a $80 million no-tax bond to upgrade both Central and Lafayette during the April 2026 election.
No excuse absentee voting has been open since Tuesday, March 25.
Voters can head to the Buchanan County Courthouse to cast their vote on the measure, as well as two school board candidates.
No excuse absentee voting will continue Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday, April 7.
