Jefferson City school board approves bond issue, tax levy for April ballot

The Jefferson City Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to put a bond issue and operating tax levy on the upcoming April ballot Monday.

ABC 17 News reported, the $130 million bond issue will be used to build a second high school and make major renovations to the current high school if approved by voters.

Funds generated by the 55-cent operating tax levy would go toward operating both high schools as well as other needed K-12 resources.

The board meeting held at Thomas Jefferson Middle School Monday started with a public presentation to community members on the recommendation for two high schools and opportunity for public comment.

At the informational session and in the formal board meeting, numerous Jefferson City area residents expressed concerns with growing needs at East Elementary School.

Those concerns including overcrowding issues with large classes sizes and trailers, reported issues with heating, poverty and low academic performance compared to other schools.

Several people asked the board to change the ballot language to include addressing East Elementary School along with the two high schools with the bond issue funds.

After several hours of listening to public input and debating, board members voted not to amend the ballot language to include East Elementary and approved putting the two measures on the April ballot.

However, board members and Superintendent Larry Linthacum discussed other ways to address issues at East Elementary in the near future.

Board President John Ruth stressed the district’s ability to ask voters for a $40 million no-tax increase bond issue in four years to address elementary school needs if voters approve the ballot measures in April.

“My fear, and I think the board shared this in their vote, is that if we have folks who don’t support the high school because their thing didn’t get included, I fear that they’re only going to exaggerate and draw out the length of time before we can actually come back and fix the elementary equation,” Ruth said.

Linthacum also recommended changing the boundary lines of East, Thorpe Gordon and Moreau Heights elementary schools to temporarily alleviate pressure at East.

“If this passes, Dr. Linthacum has committed to reconvening the long-range facilities committee 60 to 90 days after passage where they would start working on that elementary solution,” Ruth said.