Chaffee schools ask voters for $1.48 million

After years of late-night student concerts and battling four lunch periods each day, the Chaffee School Board will ask voters for $1.48 million next week to address the district's lack of space.

If passed, the bond issue would be spent on two main projects -- the renovation of the senior high school gymnasium and a new elementary activity center/cafeteria.

School officials say this election is the ideal time for the bond issue to pass because the majority of the money for the project is available through a federal program that grants schools interest-free loans.

The renovations in the 30-year-old gymnasium include adding air-conditioning and remodeling restrooms and locker rooms to allow for more privacy.

The new activity center and cafeteria will be a stand-alone structure with additional parking. The project includes new kitchen equipment to replace that used in the 50-year-old cafeteria currently in use.

"The cafeteria is shot, it's just worn out," said superintendent Dr. Arnold Bell. "There's asbestos in the floor there, and it's started to crumble."

The proposed changes also include 114 more parking spaces at the elementary.

The bond issue would require the district to up its tax levy by 33 cents over the current $3.69 per $100 assessed valuation.

For the average homeowner in Chaffee, district officials say, the increased levy would mean an estimated $38 in additional taxes per year, or approximately 10 cents a day.

Bell said if the issue passes, the district will save an estimated $450,000 in interest over the next 13 years as the bonds are paid off through a federal loan known as Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.

Under that program, the district can receive interest-free loans for any renovations or new equipment purchases, which make up around $915,000 of the needed $1.48 million.

Bell said the remaining funds, around $572,000, needed for the next activity center/cafeteria building would likely come with a 4 to 5 percent interest rate.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128