Dunklin R-5 Superintendent Clint Freeman said he was not surprised voters approved a $13.5 million bond issue for the school district on April 4, but the size of the victory floored him.
The bond issue, called Proposition Safe Schools, required a four-sevenths (57.1 percent) majority and passed with 1,028 yes votes (76.09 percent) to 323 no votes (23.91 percent).
Passage of the bond issue will not require a tax increase. However, the district’s bond debt will be extended five years, from 2038 to 2043, Freeman said.
The district’s current tax levy is $4.8213 per $100 assessed valuation.
“I was shocked in a great way that it (approval of the bond issue) was 76 percent,” Freeman said. “The community showed overwhelming support for us. We’re very thankful they trust us, and we value their trust, obviously.”
Revenue from the bond issue will fund safety improvements and construction of a new gymnasium for Herculaneum High School, as well as other projects.
“Now, the real work starts to make sure these projects are completed,” Freeman said.
He said district leaders will prioritize the projects to be funded with the bond issue money.
“We will figure out the best way to put the projects out to bid, and our goal is to have recommendations to the (Board of Education) in May,” he said. “The first thing is safe entryways at Pevely Elementary and Senn-Thomas Middle School.”
The district’s other two buildings, Herculaneum High School and Taylor Early Childhood Center, already have secure entrances.
In addition to the renovations to the entrances of Pevely Elementary and Senn-Thomas Middle and the construction of a new gym at Herculaneum High, district officials also plan to renovate the high schools’ existing gym and complete other improvements.
District voters last approved a bond issue in August 2018, when they passed a $6 million bond issue to fund improvements to Pevely Elementary. That bond issue came with an 18-cent increase to the district’s tax levy.
Freeman said he appreciates the support residents have given the district at the ballot box.
“It just goes to show our community is pleased with us and supports us,” he said.