Taxpayers in the Russellville school district may be asked this spring to consider a new bond issue.
Superintendent Perry Gorrell told the Cole County R-1 School Board Thursday he will begin to research needs and costs, particularly for a roof replacement at the high school, an updated climate control system at the elementary, updates to the technology infrastructure and addressing the aging elementary cafeteria.
One immediate benefit to the district's technology needs was an underground connection from the high school to elementary building installed by CoMo Connect, which recently received the three-year bid for internet services through MoreNet.
Until this summer, the local provider's service ended at the Enloe Cemetery, west of town. Because of the school's installation, the city of Russellville was able connect to the line, which should provide faster internet service inside the city, Gorrell said.
The board also considered district enrollment is down nearly 6 percent at about 540 students. The 2016 graduating class had 71 students and the incoming kindergartners are only at 32.
In other business, the Russellville school board:
Set the debt service levy at 95 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Set the operating levy at $4.25 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Was introduced to all new employees at the board meeting.