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Community hears details of $21-million bond issue at town hall meeting
SIKESTON — As community members toured C Building on the Sikeston High School campus Tuesday evening, they had to navigate around a bucket and trash can catching drops from a leaky ceiling.
The leaky ceiling is just one of the reasons the Sikeston R-6 school district held a town hall meeting Tuesday evening to discuss a $21-million bond issue that will be placed before voters in April. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting.
Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson explained to those in attendance phase two of the district’s facility plan, which would include a new first through fourth grade to accommodate 450 students (361 currently) on existing Lee Hunter Elementary site with an estimated coast of $13.4 million.
The building would be similar to Wing Elementary, which was completed in July 2019 as part of phase one of the district’s facility plan.
“It’s basically the same building as Wing with a different facade,” Robinson said.
During construction, Lee Hunter students would be moved to the existing Matthews Elementary facility on Elm Street until the new Lee Hunter building is completed. During this time, the current Lee Hunter Elementary will be removed (estimated cost is $500,000).
Also of phase two would be the construction of a new “C” Building on the High School campus between “A” Building and the Math and Science Building with an estimated cost of $6.6 million.
Also discussed at the meeting was a proposed multi-purpose/safe space on the grounds of the Sikeston Kindergarten Center. The district is currently working with FEMA representatives to secure grant funding for the safe space with the district required to match 25%, an estimated cost of $400,000. Grant timelines may prohibit the inclusion on the April ballot and if it is omitted it could be funded by local reserve dollars.
Lori Boardman, director of business services for the district, gave a presentation of the costs to taxpayers, which would increase the 21-cent debt levy 42-cents for a total debt levy of 63 cents.
She said the tax would impact both real and personal property taxes and gave an example of each. For a $100,000 market value home, the assessed value would be $19,000 with an annual increase in taxes of approximately $80. For personal property she used a vehicle with a market value of $25,000, assessed at $8,333 which would have an annual increase of approximately $35.
“Every property is different,” Boardman said, urging residents to look at last year’s tax form to better see how the tax would impact them.
Details about the impact to real estate/property taxes as well as other items related to the facilities plan are available on the district’s website.
Boardman said tax breaks are also available for senior citizens that meet a certain criteria.
Katie Merideth, co-chair of the bond committee, said the bond is needed to continue the pride and tradition for Sikeston schools.
“We’ve got to have better facilities and better buildings,” Merideth said. “We need to keep the momentum going with what we have with Wing and all the positive feedback we’ve had from that.”
One question from those in attendance was how to “get in front of the shock value of a $21-million ballot issue.”
Cooper McKelvey, co-chair of the bond committee, said it was a conversation they have already had, referencing the $32-million bond issue in 2014 which was rejected by voters.
“That’s where we as co-chairs have already discussed the need to have people engaged in this conversation. I’ve already figured up my personal property and what it would mean to me. It’s a sacrifice,” McKelvey said, adding that it is cheaper for him to pay the tax than send his children to private school.
Jodi Glidewell, 7th grade/virtual school coordinator, said she doesn’t know where her federal tax dollars go but at least with the school tax she does.
“It is something we can physically go up to and touch,” she said.
For more information about the district’s facilities plan visit the district’s official website: sikestonr6.org. Click on the “District Info” heading and then “District Facilities Plan.” Those who view the plan will see information on school tax, the tax impact and real and property tax examples.