Kelly voters to consider no tax-rate increase bond issue on April 5

BENTON, Mo. — Voters in the Scott County R-4 “Kelly” School District will consider next month a no-tax rate increase bond issue to address safety, facility and maintenance needs throughout the campus.

On April 5, voters in the Kelly school district will be asked to approve “Proposition Kelly Schools 2022,” which is a no-tax rate increase general obligation bond to borrow $6.5 million to install a secure entrance and renovations at the middle school; construct a new 11,000-square-foot building with a classroom, locker rooms and weight room; replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; replace the high school gym bleachers; and install baseball/softball field lighting.

Superintendent Dr. Bradley Kolwyck called the proposal an all-needs bond issue.

Pictured is a conceptual rendering of the Kelly Middle School secure entrance.

Pictured is a conceptual rendering of the Kelly Middle School secure entrance.

“We are asking for a zero tax-rate increase so we need permission to regain funds to what I consider is a much-needed maintenance and facility upgrade bond issue,” Kolwyck said. “There’s not a part of this project that is not needed, in my opinion. These are not wish-list type projects.”

If approved, the debt service levy of the school district is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.7500 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

“Should the bond pass and as funds are available, we’ll do additional maintenance projects and facility improvements,” Kolwyck said. “There are other items on our list that we would like to do, but we have to get through these main projects first.”

Pictured is a conceptual rendering of the new classroom, locker rooms and weight room building that would replace an existing dilapidated building on the campus.

Pictured is a conceptual rendering of the new classroom, locker rooms and weight room building that would replace an existing dilapidated building on the campus.

The district’s current 2014 bond series is set to expire in 2034, and if this issue passes in April, the bond would extend to 2042 with the current debt service levy, according to Kolwyck.

Informational meetings featuring question-and-answer sessions with Kolwyck are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Blodgett City Hall; 6:30 p.m. March 28 at Diehlstadt General Baptist Church; 6 p.m. April 1 at Kelly High School gymnasium (with special guest Ricky Johnson Jr.); and 11 a.m. April 4 at MKay Supply in Benton.

The idea for the bond proposal originally came about as Kolwyck assumed his position as the superintendent on July 1 when he conducted a walk-through of the facilities and immediately noticed some major problems facility-wise that needed fixed, he said.

Through the assessment, Kolwyck said, roof issues, the 30-plus-year-old HVAC systems, the dilapidated building at the high school, security issues and renovations were identified.

“So we’ve taken steps to move in the right direction, and the district has dedicated some local funds to help make this a bigger project if the bond passes to where some local funds will help pay for some roofs and then the bond funds would help pay for HVAC replacements, renovations, security for the middle school, a new building in the back of the high school that’s dilapidated, lighting and an ergonomic change in the gym with the replacement of the nearly 30-year-old bleachers,” he said.

Kolwyck noted the middle school entrance is the only part of the campus that doesn’t have a double-door vestibule, and by creating that new entrance, it will significantly increase security, he said.

“As far as updating, the middle school is the only part of campus that is original and hasn’t been touched basically since 1957 so it’s time for it to match the rest of our campus,” Kolwyck said. “So when we’re securing the middle school, we’re also going to replace flooring, do painting upgrades, and install new ceilings.”

The dilapidated building at the high school years ago served as space for the wood-working shop classes. Most recently, it served as the high school weight room until it was deemed unsuitable for student use, and the weight room moved from that building to a makeshift, temporary area.

“That building is not at risk of falling down tomorrow, but it is at the point where we need to consider what the future looks like and that’s why we’re focusing on tearing it down and starting over there,” Kolwyck said.

Also, a new building would enclose that area of the campus and increase safety for students, the superintendent said. The upgraded HVAC systems would improve energy efficiency and air quality while new gym bleachers would support district and community needs, he said.

Installing lighting at the baseball and softball fields will enhance safety and provided for extended use of the facilities, Kolwyck said. The district is limiting its programs by not giving access to extended hours for its junior varsity or varsity programs and use by the community.

“Our 10-year plan is to be the school of choice,” Kolwyck said. “As our vision stays fluid and we’re moving forward, we’ve got to be the school of choice, so everything we do is to provide the education that people want to live here.”

Kolwyck said the district has been working this year, redesigning its strategic plan as part of its Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.

“We’ll be rolling out new mission statement and core values,” he said, adding the plans is based on community surveys, staff surveys, meetings and collaborations with GlennView Strategies and the Southeast Regional Professional Development Center.

“My vision is to always put ourselves in a best position to be a school of choice and provide the best facilities, the best people and the best educational opportunities,” he said.

This bond proposal is part of that plan to provide the best facilities available for the district and within the confines its budget and the ability to not put hardship on its taxpayers, Kolwyck said.

Kolwyck, who is a 2000 graduate of Kelly High School, and his family reside in the Kelly school district.

“I’m paying the same tax. I’m not asking anyone to do what I don’t have to do,” he said.

The superintendent also noted school districts don’t receive funds for capital projects; they have to generate capital revenue themselves. The bond issue funds are strictly to fund capital improvements in the district, he said.

The superintendent noted the district tax levies are among the lowest in the region. Currently, Kelly’s debt service levy is $0.7500, and its total tax levy is $3.5000, which is in the bottom quarter of the lowest tax levies in Southeast Missouri. At this time, only Bloomfield, Bernie, Bell City and Charleston school districts have both lower debt service levies and total tax levies.

A four-sevenths majority, or 57.2%, is needed for the issue to pass. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 5.

If approved, the district will have three years to complete the project starting from the time the bonds are sold. However, the goal is to have most, if not all, of the projects completed by the start of 2023-2024 school year, Kolwyck said.

“We’re not asking taxpayers to pay more,” Kolwyck said. “We’re not asking to do some projects that aren’t needed. We’re asking to help us improve our facilities and improve where our kids are being educated to provide them the best opportunities.”

For more information, contact Kolwyck at (573) 545-3541 or see the official Facebook page: “Proposition Kelly Schools 2022.”

__Ballot language for Proposition Kelly Schools 2022:__

“Shall the Board of Education of the Scott County R-IV School District, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of $6.5 million for the purpose of providing funds to install a secure vestibule and complete renovations at the Middle School; to construct, equip and furnish a new building with a classroom, lockers and weight room; to replace heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as needed; to replace the High School gymnasium bleachers; to install baseball/softball field lighting; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and renovations to the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation funds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of theSchool District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.7500 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.”