Board backs $20 million bond issue

By Marcus Clem

The governing body for local schools ratified a $20 million bond issue for the April 2 ballot on Monday night, with most members expressing confidence it will pass.

The St. Joseph Board of Education voted 6-1, with Board Vice President Kenneth Reeder in dissent, to approve the bond issue. Most board members, such as David Foster and Isaura Garcia, said that they believe the bond will pass and that the funds it makes available will make needed improvements for students. Reeder warned that if the bond issue does not pass, the district will have to scramble to try again in August, or lose its current borrowing capacity of up to $80 million.

“If we get kicked to the curb with it, it’s all a reflection on us, by not knowing what the public’s asking and wanting,” Reeder said. “So, again, don’t — forget my opinion — but what do you guys think? Is this worth going to the voters and getting a ‘No’ vote? And then we’re down to the last chance Texaco. If we don’t pass it in August, then the Earth comes to an end.”

Foster said the risk is worth it.

“It might be tough, but at the end of the day, I think we have legitimate needs, and if we put them on the ballot, and we stand by it — because, I personally would stand by all of these legitimate needs — then, I can’t predict the future, but I can tell you where my heart’s at. And that’s with the district being as successful as we can be,” Foster said.

Board member Rick Gehring praised the effort made to as broadly as possible distribute the investments for which the bond issue is designed to pay.

“So, I feel like we’re, instead of putting it all towards one specific thing, I feel like we’ve done a good job of talking about, talking through, and really coming up with, I think, three or four different facets of things that I think everybody’s going to see some benefits from,” Gehring said. 

U.S. citizens who reside within the district, and will be 18 years of age or older by April 2, will be able to approve or reject the following measure: 

Proposition St. Joseph School District

“Shall the Board of Education of the School District of St. Joseph, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of … ($20 million) for the purpose of providing funds to construct new roads at Oak Grove and Carden Park elementary schools; to expand Hosea Elementary School; to install a district-wide intercom system; to upgrade sidewalks; to install turf fields and replace the tracks at Lafayette, Benton, and Central high schools; to complete upgrades to the current fine arts facilities; to complete science and technology improvements; to upgrade the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the district; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof?

“If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at (53 cents) per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.”

Register to vote

If they have not previously registered, or if they have changed residences since the last time they voted, all voters must register to vote by Wednesday, March 6, in order to cast a ballot on April 2. Go to https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register to complete the process before 11:59 p.m. March 6. Alternatively, visit the Buchanan County Clerk’s office in the County Courthouse, 411 Jules St., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.