Columbia Board of Education votes to put $80 million bond issue on the April ballot
Watch the Columbia Board of Education meeting in the player below.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
In their first meeting back after the Christmas break, the Columbia Board of Education voted to put an $80 million bond on the April ballot.
In the presentation, Dr. Brian Yearwood stressed to the board that the bond would not raise taxes to the citizens of Boone County.
In addition, Dr. Yearwood showcased the success that previous bond issues have been to Columbia Public Schools. The addition at Grant Elementary and Battle High School.
$53 million of the $80 million would go directly to the construction of two brand new elementary schools one at the site of John Warner Middle and the other to be at a site to be determined later.
A new career center addition and an addition to Battle Elementary are among the projects that would benefit from this new bond.
$80 Million Bond Request Breakdown
- $25 million - New elementary school on John Warner Middle School Property
- $28 million - New elementary school (includes land purchase)
- $15 million - Career Center renovation and addition
- $7.5 million - Battle Elementary addition
- $3 million - ADA enhancements and facility maintenance
- $2 million - Safety and security improvements
- $2 million - Technology infrastructure
- $500,000 - Bond fee
*Total is $83 million but category and costs listed are directly cited from CPS bond presentation from Superintendent Brian Yearwood.
The board approved an extension of Superintendent Yearwood contract.
The action will keep him in charge till at least the 2024/2025 school year.