KELLY VOTERS SEEK TO CUT SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT

BENTON -- Voters in the Kelly School District want their school board to consider a smaller construction project to relieve crowding in the growing district.

That was the preferred choice selected on a questionnaire sent to patrons last month. Superintendent Don Abner presented the results of the questionnaire during a school board meeting Thursday.

The questionnaire sought voter solutions to the lack of space for the district's 1,056 students. In it patrons were asked to rank possible solutions by preference.

School officials hope that by surveying voter opinions they will develop a funding proposal voters will approve soon. Voters since 1991 have defeated six bond issue proposals.

"My experience is people really don't question the fact that we need it," Abner said in June after voters rejected a $4.5 million bond issue for the second time this year. "It's just an unwillingness to approve the tax increase we need to change it."

Most of those responding to the questionnaire suggested the district design a smaller construction project for their consideration. Other suggestions, in order of preference: Do the previously presented project, add additional mobile units, hold school year-round, eliminate some programs and activities, and extend the school day.

"That was about what I expected," Abner said. "I'm recommending we do a smaller project. It is quite a change when you have to adjust either the school day or the school year."

Only 157 of the 2,400 questionnaires mailed were returned, Abner said.

"Actually, I'm satisfied with the number we got back," Abner said. "A lot of people would not have children in school and would not take the interest others would."

Kelly schools have experienced enrollment growth since 1993. Six mobile units and all available storage space have been converted to classrooms.

In recent years there has been standing room only in many of the district's classrooms and hallways. Even cafeteria space is at a premium, and students must eat in shorter lunch periods to accommodate enrollment.

Abner said the next goal for the school board will be to decide what can be eliminated from the first project, which voters have rejected twice. The project would have used a $4.5 million bond issue to finance construction of a high school and allowed for future expansion of at least 500 students.

The new proposal will have to focus on the immediate needs, Abner said.

"What we tried to do in the first program was kind of build to the future," he said. "A smaller project would have to be more in line with taking care of our immediate needs and build where we could add on in the future, if voters decided that's what they wanted to do."

Abner said once the new project is designed, the school board will have to decide when to present it to voters, possibly in April.

A HISTORY OF REJECTION

Voters in Scott County R-4 (Kelly) School District historically have rejected bond issues for school improvements. The majority needed to pass a bond issue changes depending on when the issue is placed on the ballot. In April elections, a four-sevenths majority, or 57 percent is needed to pass a bond issue. In June elections, a two-thirds majority, or 67 percent, is needed for passage.

Following is a brief history of voter responses since 1991:

APRIL 1991

Voters REJECT an $870,000 bond issue for school improvements. The measure needed a 57 percent majority to pass; only about 51 percent of the voters supported it

The measure would have covered construction costs for four new classrooms and a multipurpose building. The bond issue, in part, also would have expanded the district's cafeteria, replaced the floor of the original Kelly High School gymnasium, and paid for a heating system.

APRIL 1993

Voters APPROVE the $1.2 million bond issue with a 67.7 percent majority vote. The issue covered costs to renovate the existing gymnasium and home economics classroom, build four new classrooms, science labs and an elementary library; and repairs and renovation to make the entire school air conditioned. A refrigeration unit also was replaced. The issue was planned without a tax increase. Instead, the existing debt service levy due to expire in 1997 was extended to 2012.

APRIL 1997

Voters REJECT a $1.6 million bond issue for various improvements, including building additional classrooms and an industrial-vocational agricultural facility. The measure failed by 70 votes.

AUGUST 1997

Voters again REJECT the $1.6 million bond issue.

APRIL 1999

Voters narrowly DEFEAT a $4.5 million bond proposal to build and furnish a new high school. The proposition received 51 percent of the 57 percent majority it needed to pass. The new high school would have allowed for future expansion of at least 500 students -- including 20 new classrooms, a multipurpose area, science lab and educational storage.

If the bond issue had passed, the district's debt service levy would have doubled to 98 cents. The district's operating levy, at $2.66 per $100 assessed valuation, is the lowest in the county.

JUNE 1999

Voters again DEFEAT the $4.5 million bond proposal. Only 49 percent of voters favored the bond issue. A 67 percent majority was needed for passage of the measure.