KELLY TO SEEK BOND ISSUE FOR NEW SCHOOL

BENTON -- The Kelly school board has decided to seek a $4.5 million bond issue to build a new high school and to furnish it.

School patrons will vote on the bond issue April 6.

A building committee of faculty, parents and students developed the bond issue proposal. The bond would be repaid over 20 years.

The district's operating levy is the lowest in Scott County at $2.66 and its debt service at 49 cents is one of the lowest in the county.

If the bond issue is passed, the district's debt service levy would be 98 cents.

School superintendent Don Abner said a new high school is needed because the district's enrollment has outgrown the high school's capacity. The district has had gains of enrollment as much as 5 percent each year since 1993.

The high school, built in 1957, is too small for the 340 students enrolled there, Abner said.

"It's certainly outgrown the initial design," he said, explaining that there is "crowding in the cafeteria and hallways" and the district is using five mobile units. "We just don't have enough space."

In all, the district has 1,053 students enrolled.

The proposed high school would allow for future expansion of at least 500 students. The building would include 20 classrooms, a multipurpose area, science lab and educational storage.

The additional space would allow the district to expand class offerings.

"It would allow us to do more for our students," said Abner. "For example, we don't have much of a science lab right now, and that's something our students will need exposure to for college and other experiences."

School officials are planning meetings to provide information about the district's needs and the costs of the bond issue. They will have to overcome the reluctance of voters, who historically have rejected bond issues.

A four-sevenths majority is needed to approve the measure.

"We hope the people will see the need that we have and that they support it," Abner said. "Tax issues are tough, but we think the need is there."