(From Springfield Public Schools)On April 4, Springfield Public Schools will ask voters to authorize the district to issue general obligation bonds in the amount of $220 million for the purpose of completing projects that will impact all schools in the district.
If voters approve the request, there would be no increase to the district’s current debt service property tax levy. The current rate of 73 cents per $100 of assessed valuation of real estate and personal property would remain unchanged and will be used to cover the cost of improvements.
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The bond proposal, known as Proposition S, was recommended by a citizen task force, which studied the needs of all district facilities and prioritized these projects to provide quality learning environments for all students and to enhance the safety and security of schools.
The Community Task Force on Facilities, comprised of more than 30 students, parents and community members from across the district, spent the past five months studying and evaluating the current condition of SPS schools. Co-chairs David Hall and Bridget Dierks presented the task force’s recommendations to the Board of Education in October. The school board voted Dec. 13 to move forward with placing a request on the April 4 ballot.
A similar process was used in developing recommendations for the successful 2019 bond proposal, which invested $168 million in SPS schools. By January 2023, SPS will have completed all projects promised by the 2019 bond on time with funds remaining. As a result, extra projects were completed with 2019 bond funds, including new storm shelter gymnasiums at Field and Twain elementary schools, Phase 2 renovations of Hillcrest High School and construction of a new York Elementary School.
"It is important that we continue the momentum to address remaining critical needs with our schools," Hall explained. "The 2019 bond made a significant impact and now we have the opportunity to positively impact more students and staff without raising the debt service levy.”
"The task force spent significant time touring schools, reviewing data and discussing possible projects,” Dierks said. "As a group, we reached consensus that these projects were the most critical and would benefit the most students."
The Projects
In April, voters will be asked to approve funding for the following projects:
Safety and security upgrades at all schools including door access sensors and alarms, security camera upgrades, roof access sensors and alarms, and protective glass film for ground-floor windows. ($6.9 million)
Construction of a new Pipkin Middle School ($53 million)
Construction of a new Reed Academy ($59.5 million)
Renovation of Pershing School ($50 million)
Construction of storm shelters at Cowden, Holland, Mann, Pittman, Watkins, and Wilder elementary schools ($30.3 million)
(Note: To cover any potential inflation in cost of construction, labor or materials, $19.7 million will be reserved for use as needed. Any remaining funds will be invested in Phase 3 priority projects.)
The Investment
Property taxes are the primary funding source public schools can use to pay for major capital improvements. The $220 million proposal would
not increase the district’s current debt service property tax levy. It would remain at the current 73 cents per $100 of assessed valuation of real estate and personal property.
For More Information
Specific details about each of the proposed projects is currently being developed and will be shared with the community in January 2023.
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