Campaign launched for Cape school bond issue

A former Cape Girardeau School Board member is leading a campaign -- Yes Cape Schools -- in hopes of clarifying misconceptions surrounding a $20 million bond proposal that will be sent to voters April 7.

Stacy Kinder, who completed a second term on the board in 2013, said the campaign's goals include helping voters understand the financial aspects of the bond issue, as well as the need for it.

"Some of those details are complicated and not generally well-known," Kinder said Thursday.

School board members in January approved placing the measure -- Proposition 1 -- on the April ballot. The measure would help pay repairs across the district and go toward more specific projects at Central Junior High School and the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

Kinder said there's been confusion as to how the debt would be paid off.

The proposal does not include a change in the current tax rate, and if the measure fails, the rate will not change, school officials said. However, if the proposal is approved -- which would require a four-sevenths supermajority vote -- the district's existing debt would be extended.

Its current debt is scheduled to be paid off by 2030, and the $20 million proposal would extend the debt an additional five years, said Neil Glass, assistant superintendent of administrative services.

The district's overall rate is $4.1567 per $100 of assessed value and of that, 68 cents is for debt service.

The proposal would pay for upgrades to the junior high building at 205 Caruthers Ave., including improved safety and security, changing grade levels in ramps and adding rails to increase accessibility for those with disabilities.

Superintendent James Welker said the measure also looks at the location of administrative offices, which would be moved to the junior high's old gymnasium that sits in the middle of the building.

The project also would house other student services, science labs in the basement and a new practice gymnasium. The cost is estimated at about $9.8 million.

The Career and Technology Center expansion is priced at $5.9 million and would allow health-care services and more to be provided at the center at 1080 S. Silver Springs Road. It would offer more space for the Cape College Center, a partnership of Mineral Area College, Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers College, which is at the facility.

All the projects included in the proposal are on the district's website at capetigers.com/bond and are the second phase of a facility plan developed in 2008 and 2009. The first phase, which included projects such as replacing Franklin Elementary School, was addressed with a $40 million bond issue passed in 2010.

Social media is being used to spread information about the April proposal, Kinder said, including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Facebook page, Yes Cape Schools, was created in 2010 during the first phase.

A kickoff event for the campaign is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 7 at The Concourse, 429 N. Broadview St. Kinder said it will be an opportunity for voters to ask questions and gather information.

"The focus right now is to just get the awareness out through social media," she said, adding print materials and mailers will be sent closer to election.

Kinder said being on the board during Phase I construction gave her the confidence and motivation to join this year's committee.

"I saw how well the administration and the board were able to handle all of those things," she said. "The large bond issue was completed on time and, in many cases, not just on budget, but under budget. I'm just trying to remind people that they should have some confidence in the process this time around."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

205 Caruthers Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.