These are the school bond issues on the ballot in Boone County for the April election – Columbia Daily Tribune

Bond issue projects on the April 5 ballot in Boone County school districts range from sports stadium repair andrestroom remodelstoclassroom additions and kitchen remodels.

Outside of Columbia, the costs range from $3 million in the Southern Boone and Harrisburg school districts to $10 million in Centralia. Between those is a $6 million bond issue in the Hallsville School District.

A feature all have in common is that approval won't result in a tax increase for residents. All require a 57%majority for approval.

They join Columbia Public Schools, which has placed an $80 million bond issue on the April 5 ballot. Those plans include two new elementary schools and renovations of the Columbia Area Career Center. It also won't require a tax increase if voters approve it.

The Sturgeon School District is alone in the county in not having a school bond issue on the April ballot.

The $10 million bond issue in the Centralia School District aims at catching up in areas where maintenance has been put off, said Superintendent Steven Chancellor.

"Age has caught up to us and it's caught up in a big way," Chancellor said. "Before we start thinking about new stuff, we need to start thinking about things we already have."

Projects include security improvements at building entrances, he said.

Plans call for remodeling the restrooms at the high school, which Chancellor said are in bad shape.

"That has been a dark cloud over our heads," he said of thehigh school restrooms.

A new item among the plans is science classrooms along a hall that will extend from the high school to the agriculture building.

"The theme of the bond issue is 'investing in ourselves,'" Chancellor said.

He said he's optimistic about victory on election night, but not taking the community for granted.

"We have a lot of momentum," Chancellor said. "We've been able to weather the COVID storm with minimal intrusion. The community is fully aware that our facilities are not up to par."

Projects included in the $6 million bond issue in the Hallsville School Districtwould be supplemented with reserve funds available in the district's capital projects fund, said Superintendent John Downs.

A new wing with eight classrooms is plannedat the middle school building, where the district's information technology department also would be located.

If approved, it would be the first phase of eventual replacement of the building, Downs said.

"The middle school building was built in 1952," Downs said. "Itwas built for elementary students, and classrooms are too small for middle school students. We're planning on a phased replacement."

The athletic track wouldbe relocated to the sports stadium, with additional improvements to the stadium, Downs said. The track is now at a different location than the stadium.

Other improvements will be made if funding allows, he said.

The district has been engaging the community about plans since last spring, Downs said. Public forums were held in late summer.

"I'm very optimistic," Downs said.

Hallsville voters in 2017 approved an 80-cent tax levy increase for the district, the first in 30 years. It marked a turning point for the district, Downs said.

"Our community has been very supportive," Downs said.

A 2,000-square-foot addition to the computer lab and media center at the elementary building is part of the plan for the $3 million bond issue in the Harrisburg School District, said Superintendent Steve Combs.

Also among the projects are remodeling restrooms at the middle school and a parking lot at the high school. The kitchens at the elementary school and high school also would be remodeled as part of the plan.

Depending on available funds, a K-12 theater and performing arts center or a multipurpose addition, or both, would be included, Combs said.

"We've had great luck passing no-tax-increase bond issues," Combs said.

The $3 million bond issue in the Southern Boone School District in Ashland would be directed toward major repairs at the track and field at its stadium.

The school board on Friday approved placing the bond issue on the April ballot.

Projects include resurfacing the track, installing new artificial turf and replacing the scoreboard and sound system at the high school outdoor athletic complex.

Before the vote, head high school football coach Trent Tracy discussed the need.

He said additions to the schools that have been approved in past bond issues were more important and more needed at the time, but it's the turn of athletics now.

"The time has come to address our athletic needs," Tracy said.

The football and soccer field looks great at the beginning of August, but not by the end of September, he said.

Wet weather really creates problems on the fields, he said.

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These are the school bond issues on the ballot in Boone County for the April election - Columbia Daily Tribune