By John Sharp
Voters in the Grandview School District will vote on whether to approve a no tax increase $50 million bond issue April 2nd to finance continuing security improvements at district schools; upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to be much more energy efficient; and renovating classrooms and other facilities at all district schools that are all over 50 years old.
Grandview Superintendent Dr. Kenny Rodrequez said the proposed bond issue represents a significant opportunity for the district to make impactful improvements that will benefit its students and the community for years to come.
The bond issue, which requires four-sevenths (57.14%) voter approval, will not result in a property tax increase for district residents since the district has paid off the bonds early from a 2018 bond issue to save interest payments, according to Dr. Royce Powelson, district assistant superintendent of finance and operations.
He noted that many of the proposed bond projects are designed to save the district significant day-to-day operating costs.
Powelson said remodeling classrooms and other facilities, modernizing restrooms and upgrading HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems at all the district’s elementary schools, Martin City K-8 School and the middle school will be the most expensive items to be financed by the bonds, costing roughly $25 million.
He said the district is committed to continuing to replace its old HVAC units with units that are more energy efficient and reliable with a goal of having all units less than 15 years old.
He explained the district also is strongly considering installing solar panels to generate electricity more cheaply while protecting the environment at several of its schools.
Planned improvements at Grandview High School include constructing a combined baseball/softball field with artificial turf and improved lighting, improving its weight room, modernizing its fine arts areas and renovating its library.
Bond funds also will be used to construct and equip a district warehouse and cold storage area instead of having to continue to rent such space offsite to allow the district to buy frozen food in quantity and cheaply store it and store other equipment and supplies near where they will be used to save transportation costs.
Powelson said the district still has about $8 million worth of work to complete this summer from a successful $45 million bond issue approved in 2021 including improvements to playgrounds and parking lots, school front entrance security improvements and renovations of the physical education area at the Center for Alternative Instructional Resources.
If the proposed bond issue passes, Powelson said it’s possible some construction work can begin as early as this fall.