Dwight Sanders, California R-I School superintendent, presented information about the bond issue which will appear on the April 8 ballot, Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Retired Teachers meeting.
About 20 retired teachers and school personnel attended the Moniteau County Retired Teachers and School Personnel meeting at Burger Haus.
Using pie charts, displays and a video, Sanders explained that, if the bond issue passes, the tax levy rate of 97.56 cents per each $100 of assessed valuation for debt repayment will not increase. The current levy would be increased by six years, but the amount would not increase.
He explained the meaning of a general obligation bond as a legal means through which the district can borrow money from the private sector with voter approval. Interest paid to the investors is exempt from federal and state income taxes. They are sold in $5,000 increments.
Proposition CSI California (Citizens for School Improvement) is the name of the $4 million bond issue.
If it passes, at the high school, it would pay for: a 5,000 square foot addition to the agriculture building; a 5,500 square foot multi-purpose addition to the weight room for a visitors' locker room, storage and additional classroom space for the physical education program; a new athletic stadium at the high school with synthetic turf field, lights, bleachers, press box, concession/ restroom building and entrance/ ticket booth; paving the parking lot on the south side of the building; and adding air conditioning units to the gym to more adequately meet the needs of the space.
At the middle school, the boys and girls locker rooms will be renovated.
At the elementary school, the improvements would be; renovation of two sets of restrooms; installation of an intercom system; and a covered shelter at the bus drop off/ pickup area.
District-wide, there would be installation of building security and safety systems at the main entry doors of each building; card readers for some additional doors; and upgrades of the district's network infrastructure.
A Performance Contract is also planned as a part of the facility improvement plan. That contract will be for work which is expected to pay for itself through savings in 15 years with energy and operations/ maintenance cost savings. It will include building automation systems, lighting upgrades and motion sensors, replacement of single pane windows at the middle school and upgrades in the HVAC systems at both the elementary and middle schools.