Jackson's bond issue

The November general election will have something extra for Jackson voters who will -- in addition to important county, state and national races -- also decide the fate of a school construction project.

The school district is asking voters to approve a 67-cent tax levy increase that would fund renovations and additions at Jackson High School.

If approved by a simple majority of voters, the district's tax levy would increase to $3.98 per $100 of assessed valuation from $3.31.

That means the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $120 in taxes each year. The bonds would be paid off over a 20-year period.

With rising enrollment and aging buildings, talk of a new high school has been part of the Jackson School Board's ongoing discussions. District officials have a strong commitment to stay in its current location near the uptown shopping areas.

But that means any growth in student population stretches the high school's capacity. So the district plans to add 150,000 square feet to 160,000 square feet of new space, with almost all of it under one roof. Currently, students have to walk between multiple buildings on the campus for their classes.

The building will be designed to hold 1,200 to 1,500 students and would have a food-court type cafeteria, a commons area and an events facility that would have both a gymnasium and music stage.

Some of the high school's current buildings would remain in use under the renovation plans. The counselors' offices would be integrated with the administrative offices, and the math and science building would remain.

The plan is ambitious. Officials say the additions and renovations would be less costly than buying property and building at a new site.

A long road lies ahead as board members and other district officials work to convince voters of the need for the proposed $27 million bond issue.