KELLY SCHOOL STUMPING FOR VOTES

BENTON, Mo. -- Supporters of a $4.9 million bond issue being proposed by the Kelly School District in elections Tuesday have knocked on every available door trying to win neighbors over to their way of thinking.

Schools Superintendent Don Abner said the district wanted to informally discuss with voters why they have denied several funding measures to the district in recent years. School officials and community supporters decided the best way to do that was to tone down the advertising and conventional promotional efforts and opt for a new approach.

"Basically, this has been a door-to-door, neighbor-to-neighbor approach," Abner said. "Based on the response from those that have been going out and visiting with people, it seems to be a little more positive this time. I think most of us feel pretty good about the possibility it might pass."

Ron Schlosser, the public relations chair for the committee working to get the measure passed, said members are "trying to just hit it personally and ride this thing home." Many people who have opposed similar funding measures in the past told committee members they were upset with the way school officials completed a renovation project to the gymnasium in 1991, he said.

"What we've tried to tell them is that was done many years ago and this is a different project," Schlosser said. "The need is definitely there. It's not going to leave. It's here to stay."

The bond issue requires a 75-cent increase to the debt service levy per $100 assessed valuation. A four-sevenths supermajority is required for passage of the measure, which would be used to construct a new high school.