The Special Bond Election for USD 214 is quickly approaching, and in light of that, Superintendent Corey Burton gave the public an additional opportunity to attend an informational presentation.
During the Chamber Coffee Friday, August 4, Burton offered clarification on questions and concerns voiced since the bond committee started holding community information nights.
“I’d love for you to have the chance to see where we’re at with this facility and some of the things we’d like to do,” said Burton.
Under the bond, USD 214 would be reduced from four to three attendance centers, merging middle school and high school students from seventh to 12th grade.
Burton began the weekly event by pointing out key details on the bond website.
Over 25 years, the bond would be paid down. A special 1 percent sales tax could be utilized to pay for the bond which will come to a vote August 29.
“We’ve estimated a 17 mill increase if the bond passes on its own,” explained Burton. “If the bond and sales tax pass, it would be a 12 mill increase because the sales tax would make up about five mills.”
Burton continued by clarifying what will be available on each ballot.
“If you live in the school district, you get to vote on question one,” said Burton. “If you live in the school district and the city limits, you get to vote on question two.”
Therefore, individuals living outside of city limits will only vote on question one.
Next, Burton took an opportunity to explain the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR). By law, the district has to provide taxing rates of the bond passing with and without the special sales tax.
“We had to show the largest tax increase because that sets the cap,” clarified Burton. “If you don’t present it at that time, you can’t change it when you proof your budget.”
A 17 mill increase rate will be shown on the informational sheet expected to be mailed to residents Friday, August 11.
Galen Pelton, President, and CEO of Grant County Bank, asked Burton if a debt of $44.75 million would be considered average or large in comparison to other schools.
“From the conversations with other schools, it would be fairly average as far as when you get into a bond," Burton responded.
For example, Scott City’s 2020 bond issue had a mill levy of 61.21. According to Burton, the district has been debt-free since making their last bond payment in 2014.
Next, Nancy Borthwick asked if there is a plan to maintain each building in order to avoid needing as many renovations in the future.
“In the future, what are we going to do so we’re not sitting here 50 years from now?” Borthwick asked.
“As far as a 50-year plan, no there’s not a 50-year plan on what projects would be done over that period of time,” Burton explained.
Following the presentation, Burton led a tour around UHS to show the public the main concerns around campus. First, Burton walked to the Tiger Gym to ask everyone their first impression when entering the facility. Some of the responses were “sense of pride”, “nice”, and “it looks good”.
“The district spent a good chunk of money to build this in 2003 and it’s still a big point of pride,” said Burton.
As the tour progressed, Burton made stops to show UHS’s most needed repairs, one of the most concerning being the equipment which is not up to code of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“Our goal is, when we renovate all of this, for people to think this is where I want my kids to learn,” said Burton.
The next Chamber Coffee will be at 10 a.m., Friday, August 11, at Corporate East Hotel.
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