District talks bond issue at Benton forum

By Marcus Clem

In seeking to assuage any doubts about the $20 million bond issue voters will consider on April 2, the St. Joseph School District invited the public to Sparks Field to talk about it, an invitation few accepted.

The Project St. Joseph School District bond is based on unique circumstances in which the district is permitted to borrow money without taxing the public more. At present, 53 cents out of the $4.32 per $100 tax levy is devoted to debt service, supporting borrowing authority of up to $80 million. The bond requires nearly 6 in 10 voters to be in favor to pass on April 2, or least 57.143% of the total vote.

The district would have to reduce the 53 cents for debt service to 26 cents if no further bond issue is passed via either the April 2 ballot, or a potential second attempt on Aug. 6. This time-sensitive cutback is designed to ensure that local agencies only tax as much as is necessary to service their current debt, without allowing for future plans.

“We don’t have a whole lot of debt right now,” Superintendent Gabe Edgar said. “That’s kind of why we’re in the position we’re in.”

This impact would be vital to the district’s long-range plan for 2030, as borrowing authority would subsequently be no more than $40 million. The plan envisions the eventual construction of two entirely new high schools, at a cost of up to $120 million each, costs primarily paid for by two consecutive $80 million bond issues, pending voter approval. All of that would happen, if all goes to plan, by 2030.

“You could build an elementary school, potentially, with $40 million,” Edgar said. “Your ability to go beyond that from a progressive standpoint would really not be there. You could not build a high school with $40 million.”

A second forum is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday at Lafayette High School, at the football field or gymnasium depending on the weather.

Warren Ingram III, the only candidate for school board on the April 2 ballot who attended Tuesday’s event at Sparks Field, urged people to educate themselves about Project St. Joseph School District and then come on Thursday to speak their minds. 

“I wish they’d really look at what they are voting on instead of saying ‘No, I’m not giving them no more money.’ Just, please read, find out what this is about,” Ingram said. “Go to the next meeting that they’re going to have at Lafayette and get informed and find out what you’re voting on. Because if you’re gonna scream, know what you’re screaming about.”