Board of Education Places Bond on April 7 Ballot

At its January meeting, the Harrisonville Schools Board of Education unanimously approved language to place a bond issue on the April 7 ballot. Proposition One is a zero rate tax increase bond issue for $38 million.

The bond will address three priorities within the district: Safety & Security, Student Opportunities, and Infrastructure. Over the next two months, the district plans to host a variety of opportunities for community members to learn about the projects and ask questions.

Board members regularly review the district’s facilities needs assessment and, this fall, launched a community survey to gather input on potential projects and priority areas. Eighty-seven percent of respondents agreed that “Our schools are a source of pride. We must keep our schools in good working condition.”

The Prop One projects are a continuation of the successful 2020 bond issue (Prop N) including completing roof replacement, heating and air conditioning systems replacement, and safety upgrades including rekeying the district, replacing hollow-core classroom doors, upgrading fire systems, and a new pick-up/drop-off loop at Harrisonville Elementary School.

Additionally, Prop One projects will provide upgraded and new spaces for activities including seat replacement, new curtains, and a lobby upgrade for the Performing Arts Center; and new tennis courts, baseball/softball field renovations, and a multi-use facility at HHS.

Prop One will have zero impact on the district’s debt service tax rate. Over the last several years, the district has refinanced bond indebtedness to save the district money, enabling the district’s bonding capacity to grow with zero increase to the tax rate.

“Through our survey this fall, our community said that keeping our schools safe and updating infrastructure is a priority,” said Board President Doug Meyer. “Proposition One will allow us to move forward with projects to address these needs with zero impact on our taxpayers.”

Superintendent Josh Chastain said, “The Board’s solid financial management and forward-thinking approach has given us this opportunity. We can meet needs, improve opportunities, and continue to ensure our schools are a source of Wildcat pride for our community without raising the tax rate.”

For questions, please contact Superintendent Josh Chastain, josh.chastain@harrisonvilleschools.org  or (816) 380-2727.