Jefferson City Public Schools leaders still at odds with some voters

Opponents of a Jefferson City ballot issue to build one high school say the district is still not listening to voters.

For the first time since voters rejected a school bond and levy issue, Jefferson City Public Schools is trying to engage taxpayers to see what exactly they want from school leaders.

School officials are using an online survey to ask the community what they want from the district.

Residents were expecting one of the four questions to ask voters if they wanted a second high school, but that’s not the case. Some voters said they believe that is why the bond and levy issue lost and they don’t understand why the district is set on building one large high school.

“We need to do the right thing, not just what a certain group of people agrees upon,” said Dan Ortmeyer.

Since the bond and levy issue was defeated, school district officials are trying to reach out to voters with the survey.

“We’re looking to hear more and more community engagement and more voices when we are working on various projects,” said JCPS spokesperson David Luther. “It’s about facilities. I know people are interested in our high school situation, but it even goes beyond that.”

The survey is anonymous, so it is difficult to tell how many times one person completes it. Voters can take the survey on the JCPS website.