Perry Co. rejects school bond issue

Southeast Missourian

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Voters rejected a $3.36 million general obligation bond issue Tuesday that would have paid off debt for past school improvements and freed up money to further upgrade the Perryville public schools.

The vote was 2,531 for the bonds to 3,514 against. The measure needed just over 57 percent approval to pass.

The measure would have increased the school district's tax levy by 31 cents per $100 assessed valuation for six years to pay off the bonds.

The school board of Perry County School District No. 32 spent months talking about the need for the bond issue and tax increase.

"Naturally we are a little disappointed," superintendent Beverly Schonhoff said.

The school board now will have to re-examine the issue and decide whether to resubmit the measure to voters at a future election, she said.

School officials had planned to use revenue from the bond issue to pay the remainder it owes on lease-purchase debt from financing construction, remodeling and renovations to the elementary, middle and high schools in 1993.

Retiring that debt would have freed up money in the operating fund to construct new classrooms, replace outdated computers and make other improvements to the schools.