Richland schools one of 12 districts sharing $15.9M in bonds

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A dozen Missouri school districts will share in bonds totaling $15.9 million to pay for renovations and repairs.

The Richland School District will receive $430,561 of the bonds. Voters of the Stoddard County school district approved a $750,000 bond proposal in November.

The district is also one of five Southeast Missouri school districts collectively receiving $9.08 million in interest-free Qualified School Construction Bonds.

Gov. Jay Nixon's office says it authorized the bonds through the federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond program. The federal government covers most of the interest.

Districts may use the funds for such purposes as repairing existing buildings, investing in new technology or equipment and developing new curricula.

The districts must provide a 10 percent match for the bonds from a business or nonprofit group and develop a program to prepare students for work or college.

The bonds were also awarded to Rock Port R-II, Monett R-I, Harrisburg R-VIII, North Callaway R-I, Brunswick R-II, Grandview C-4, Carl Junction R-I, Hillsboro R-III, DeSoto 73, Marceline R-V and St. James R-I.