Maplewood Richmond Heights outlines $15 million bond and levy-transfer measure for April ballot

The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District presented two propositions that will appear on the April 8 ballot: Prop B, a proposed $15 million bond to pay for building repairs and safety upgrades, and Prop E, a no-tax-levy transfer of 50¢ from the district’s debt service levy into the operating levy intended to produce roughly $2,200,000 for teacher and staff compensation.

District representative Dr. Benita Jamieson told the council the bond request would fund large infrastructure items such as HVAC and heat pump replacements, roof repairs, additional interior and exterior cameras and electronic door access, kitchen equipment replacement and reconfiguration, and a replacement or repair of the high school track used by students and the community. “Prop B for buildings is [a] request from the community to take on $15,000,000 in bonds to address safety improvements,” Jamieson said.

Jamieson described Prop E as a transfer from the debt service levy to the operating (incidental) fund that would not change the total tax rate. “If approved by the voters, [we] transfer 50¢ into the operating levy, which would generate approximately $2,200,000 to allow us to address the gaps in teachers and staff salaries,” she said. She explained the district has used available funds to pay down debt in recent years, which creates the capacity to move money without raising taxes.

Jamieson walked the council through possible outcomes depending on voters’ decisions. She said the district’s materials present scenarios: if Prop B passes and Prop E fails, the debt service levy would remain at $1.35 and the board could choose whether to roll back levy amounts; if Prop E passes and Prop B fails, the debt service levy would be reduced from $1.35 to $0.85. Jamieson also described the consequences if neither measure passes, including staff reductions, salary freezes, reduced transportation or programming, and larger class sizes.

Jamieson said some items on the bond list address deferred maintenance that has become urgent. She gave a recent example of equipment failure in a kitchen and attributed a cited repair cost to the district operations director, Dr. Micah Dietrich. “I think something broke the other day and Dr. Dietrich said it cost $5,000,” Jamieson said.

The district’s presentation noted the board unanimously approved placing the two propositions on the April ballot. Jamieson said Prop B requires a supermajority and described it to the council as “4 sevens majority,” and that Prop E requires a simple majority (50% plus one). The district will present a further update at an upcoming school board meeting; Jamieson said consultants Courtigan and Clark will provide additional findings that the district’s strategic planning committee will use to prioritize projects.

Council members who spoke praised the district’s presentation and emphasized the vote’s local significance for classroom staffing and building safety. The council and district encouraged voter participation on April 8.

The district presentation and council discussion did not produce any formal city action at the meeting. Jamieson invited the community to review the district website for event dates and additional information, and the district plans further public updates before the election.