OAK RIDGE, SCOTT CITY CONSIDER BALLOT ISSUES FOR APRIL VOTE

Hoping to make more room in their growing districts, Oak Ridge and Scott City school boards will seek voter approval of bond issues during elections April 3.

Boards of Education in both districts approved ballot issues this week to finance construction of additional classroom space and new multipurpose buildings. The issues -- which would each require 30-cent tax hikes -- must receive a supermajority of 57.14 percent for passage and would be repaid over 20 years.

School officials said consistent enrollment gains in recent years have left both districts with no room to grow. They said they've done all they can using existing funds to accommodate the growth, and are now turning to voters for help.

"We're just really out of space," said Oak Ridge schools Superintendent Cheri Fuemmeler.

Oak Ridge

Fuemmeler said her district's enrollment has grown about 10 percent in the past two years. The growth has been uniform throughout the grades, indicating a trend rather than a blip in the figures, she said.

The Oak Ridge school board is seeking passage of a $1.95 million bond issue that would provide funding for construction of a middle school to house sixth, seventh and eighth grade classrooms, an expanded media center/library, computer lab, band area and art room.

The proposal also includes about $96,000 to purchase 30.5 acres of property behind the high school for future expansion.

The debt service levy would increase by 30 cents per $100,000 assessed valuation if the measure was approved. The tax increase would be necessary for nine years, after which the levy would return to its current rate of $3.35 per $100 assessed valuation.

Fuemmeler said her district has traditionally received strong support for funding proposals. The last bond issue, which funded construction of the current high school in 1996 without a tax increase, passed with an 87 percent majority.

"We're very hopeful," Fuemmeler said. "We've had some positive comments, and I hope if they have questions they'll contact me so we can discuss them personally."

Scott City

The Scott City school board will ask voters to approve a $3.5 million bond issue that would increase the tax levy to about $3.05 per $100 assessed valuation.

In addition to 20 new classrooms, the bond issue would fund a new industrial arts building. The project also calls for renovations to provide a new elementary school cafeteria, as well as expanded health services and library areas.

Tatum said his district's need for space became evident last fall when the enrollment increased by 50 students. And this week, a teacher's workroom was moved to the cafeteria area to make space for an additional special education classroom.

Special programs like gifted and special education services have required additional classroom space, taking over 20 of the district's 70 classrooms.

"We've done a number of capital improvement projects with no tax increase in the past few years, but it comes to the point when you need to look at the future," Tatum said. "As you get more and more special service programs, you have to provide the additional space, but you've also got to keep an eye on what your regular classroom needs are."

Only one school district in the county matches Scott City's $2.75 tax rate, which is the state minimum. Larry Dunger, chairperson of the district's building committee that recommended the bond proposal, said the district has done its job, and now it is time for the community to step up and show its support.

"All of this is indicative of the fact this school is well managed and taxpayers are getting the maximum benefit of their tax dollars," Dunger said.

BOND ISSUES

Scott City and Oak Ridge school districts will seek passage of bond proposals in elections April 3. The issues require a 57.14 percent supermajority for passage.

Scott City

$3.5 million bond issue

30-cent tax increase

To finance:

* 20 new classrooms

* construction of multipurpose/athletic practice area

* new industrial arts/technology building

* new elementary health services office

* expanded elementary library

* expanded elementary art room

* renovated multipurpose room for elementary cafeteria

Oak Ridge

$1.95 million bond issue

30-cent tax increase

To finance:

* land acquisition for future expansion

* construction of middle school to house grades six through eight; would include nine classrooms for base subject areas, an expanded media center/library, computer lab and art room The A+ coordinator and teachers' workroom would be located in the office area.