Prop 2 bond measure defeated

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The St. Joseph School District's Prop 2 bond measure was defeated by about 800 votes.

Over 53% of voters dis-approved of the measure to build a new high school south of U.S. Highway 36.

The measure would have had to win with a 57% simple majority.

"It was extremely hard in order to take this loss, ok but a good thing about a long range plan, it's a Plan A and a Plan B," said LaTonya Williams, SJSD School Board president. "And Plan A was a new high school, and it was a wash, and we're moving to Plan B right now."

When it comes to moving to "Plan B", School Board vice president, Mike Moore said the board will continue the road to reach it's goal of right-sizing.

"The reason we even had this proposition was to execute a long range plan that has some really serious things in it..." said Moore. "We're able to address, specifically, inequities, among the offering of both activities and academics at the three high schools...."

Given the results of the voters, the School Board will now move on to discuss an $80 million no-tax levy to appear on April 2026 ballot to upgrade two existing high schools. Those high schools are Lafayette and Central.

"It is in the long-range plan in order to use a portion of the bond capacity," said Williams. "We're able to use up to $80 million if the Board chooses, in order to do so."

As discussed in the St. Joseph School District's long-range plan, Benton would be converted into a middle school.