Jackson school bond fails second attempt

Students in the Kelly School District will get their new high school, but those in Jackson will live with the current facilities for now.

Both Kelly and Jackson school districts have had previous bond issues for new high schools fail, but 69 percent of the Kelly district voters approved the school's $3.5 million plan Tuesday.

For the second time in five months, Jackson's proposal for $27 million in renovation and expansions at the high school failed by a little over 100 votes.

As in the November election, the bond issue received as high as 62 percent approval in city precincts, but votes fell short outside the city limits. A super-majority of 57.14 percent was needed for approval.

"It was very similar to last time, except fewer people voted," said Dr. Ron Anderson, superintendent in Jackson. "Fifty-five percent is great, but with the four-sevenths majority requirement, it's not enough."

Kelly's issue passed with 607 yes votes to 273 no votes. The proposal had failed in seven previous attempts, all of which involved a tax increase. This one did not.

"We're elated right now," said Kelly superintendent Don Moore. "It's a great day for the students of Kelly. We're ready to start building."

Moore said actual construction can't take place until the plans are finalized by an architect and the project goes out to bid. That process should only take a couple months, he said.

The $3.5 million will be used for a new 34,959-square foot classroom/library facility and a multipurpose gym/cafeteria. The new space will allow the district to remove the modular buildings that currently hold art and music classrooms and relieve crowding in the hallways and other classrooms.

Jackson's issue called for an increase in the district's tax levy from $3.31 to $3.98 per $100 assessed valuation. For the owner of the average $100,000 home, that meant an annual increase in property taxes of $120.

"It was a wonderful effort internally by staff and students and externally. So many people worked so hard. It's difficult for them to see the conditions the students will be working in," Anderson said.

Board member Terri Tomlin, who won her second term on the board Tuesday night, echoed Anderson's comments.

"It wasn't for a lack of trying. So many volunteers from the community and school district worked and worked. It seemed like there were a lot of positive comments," Tomlin said.

cmiller@semissourian.com

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