April 2 Proposition St. Joseph School District ballot issue

By NewsPress Now

The St. Joseph School District has a $20 million bond issue on the April 2 ballot, with voters asked to choose “yes” or “no.”

Proposition St. Joseph School District must obtain “yes” votes on more than 57.413% of ballots to be enacted. If it does pass, the district will be allowed to borrow $20 million from private investors. Tax rates will not increase. If it is rejected, nothing will change for now.

Advocates cite how the bond will fund improvements in education, particularly in the areas of science, technology and fine arts; facilities upgrades including HVAC improvements and an expansion at Hosea Elementary; safety enhancements with a new intercom system and sidewalks; and work to school grounds with a change from grass to turf on football fields and the replacement of tracks at the three high schools. Opponents say this will result in a higher tax burden over time. For more information about the bond, go to https://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/education/.