School officials discuss bond issue

The school district will kick off a series of town-hall style meetings tonight to discuss the upcoming bond issue.

Voters will be asked in November to approve a rollover bond issue to fund about $45 million worth of projects during the next 10 years. It would not raise property taxes.

Superintendent Richard Stokes said the purpose of the meetings will be to "get the word out about the need of the schools and the school district."

School officials, along with members of the citizen advisory committee, will explain the details of the bond and why the money is needed.

Stokes said they will focus on four main issues: building and infrastructure needs, ways to save energy to cut costs, making all buildings code compliant and educational priorities.

This year's bond is different than those sought in the past in that it doesn't ask for a specified amount of money.

Instead, it asks voters to approve a bond rate of 43 cents per $100 of a home's assessed value during a

10-year period.

The current rate is 47 cents. However, the 4-cent difference would be absorbed by city taxing entities, likely the city itself.

During the 10 years, the school district would use those funds at its discretion for building and maintenance costs not funded by the state.

The first $25 million would go to projects deemed high priority to begin next year.

It includes a list of maintenance projects, site upgrades and improved efficiencies at almost all schools ranging from roof repairs to replacing portable classrooms and modernizing heating and air-conditioning systems.

The second phase is slated for $10 million to be completed in 2013-2014. The focus of this phase will be on educational programs.

An outside agency would conduct a study to determine how to best improve career and technical education as well as performing arts.

It also would look into the needs of Pioneer High School and possible additions to the alternative high school.

The third phase would run the remaining six years of the 10-year cycle, funneling about $500,000 per year into technology upgrades.