Nixa Public Schools seek $47M bond to add classrooms, activities, parking

For the first time in five years, Nixa Public Schools will ask voters to approve a bond issue. The request on April 4 totals $47 million.

Superintendent Gearl Loden said the funding will ease overcrowding, improve parking and traffic flow on campuses, increase space for student extracurricular activities, and start to develop 38 acres near Nixa High School.

"We don't have the tax base a lot of other folks have but we have great schools and good teachers and kids and good community support. We're at a point now where it's been five years since we had our last bond and when you look at our budget, over 80% our budget is invested in people," he said Monday.

"The bond dollars allow us the flexibility to be able to do more of the projects like roofing projects, air conditioning, the buses, the things that are part of the bond so that we are able to continue to operate our schools in an efficient, effective manner."

The request is touted as a "no tax increase" bond issue, meaning the district will take on more debt if approved but its tax levy rate of $4.5091 per $100 of assessed valuation will not change whether the bond is approved or rejected by the voters.

In April, any bond issue on the ballot requires the support of 57% of voters in order to pass. If approved, the projects will be done over the next three years.

Here is the list of proposed projects:

• At High Pointe Elementary, additional classrooms will be constructed. The addition will include a storm shelter for students at both High Pointe and nearby Summit Intermediate schools;

• At Nixa High School, additional classrooms, activity space and parking are included;

• Also near the high school, the district will start developing 38 acres for practice spaces and eventually athletic fields and space for other school activities;

• At Nixa Junior High, additional classrooms will be constructed and the theater space will be improved. There will also be more room for activities;

• The district will buy 10 school buses and additional maintenance equipment;

• Parking and traffic flow at Espy Elementary and John Thomas School of Discovery will be improved;

• There will be roofing repairs, HVAC and technology and upgrades, and increased safety and security features at various school buildings.

Loden said the bond issue will provide much needed space in the district, which has experienced steady growth for many years.

He said as buildings are getting older, HVAC systems and roofs need to be repaired and replaced.

More:Clay Hanna retiring after 32 years in Nixa Public Schools

In a survey last fall, 77% of parents said they wanted more athletic options for their children and 85% wanted more club and activity options.

Loden said the district does not have the space to offer these options in the current facilities.

"As we grow and become a larger district you want, especially at the high school, if a student doesn't make a team, that we have other things they can be involved in," he said.

One goal is to create an intramural program with a range of options for students to be involved.

More:SPS principals explain how $220M 'Proposition S' bond issue will improve schools, safety

Loden said while the district is interested in developing the 38 acres adjacent to the high school, it is committed to not adding a second high school for at least 20 years.

"We're carefully laying out the future of the land that we have, how could we go to a larger high school and meet the needs. We could go to between 3,300 and 3,600 students with our current high school, adding onto it and, eventually, you could take Matthews in as a ninth grade building, if you need to," Loden said.

If approved, Loden said the first two projects will be the High Pointe addition and the extra space at the high school. He said work to add parking or improve traffic flow would likely be scheduled to minimize disruptions for families and employees.

Area school bond issues

Nixa is the only Christian County school district with a bond issue on the April 4 ballot. In Greene County, there are four districts with bond issues up for a vote.

Springfield

The "Proposition S" bond issue is for $220 million and, if approved, it will add to the district's overall debt amount but not alter the tax levy rate for property owners.

The projects include safety upgrades across the district, a new Pipkin Middle School, a new Reed Academy, and a renovated and reconfigured Pershing school

Storm shelter gymnasiums will also be built at Cowden, Holland, Mann, Pittman, Watkins and Wilder elementary schools.

Republic

If approved, the $47 million bond issue will add to the district's overall debt amount but not alter the tax levy rate for property owners.

The main project is to construct a new intermediate school for grades 5 and 6 near the intersection of U.S. 60 and James River Expressway.

If there are additional funds available, the district wants to add space and parking at the high school.

Strafford

"Proposition K.I.D.S." is a $10 million bond issue. If approved, it will increase the district's overall debt amount but will not alter the tax levy rate for property owners.

The main project is to construct classroom additions and renovate the Lucille Cogdill Early Childhood Center. Other work includes safety and security upgrades, reconfigure parking lots for better traffic flow and acquire property for future school needs.

If additional funds are available, the district plans to improve athletic facilities and make repairs and upgrades to other existing facilities.

Ash Grove

"Proposition K.I.D.S." is a $9.4 million bond issue. If approved, the debt-service levy for the district will be 99 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, an increase of 30 cents.

The district plans to alleviate crowding by adding six classrooms, new restrooms and a gymnasium that will serve as a storm shelter for the entire campus.

If there are any additional funds left over, the district will remodel or repair other spaces.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Nixa district seeks $47M bond to add classrooms, activities, parking