Superintendent outlines long-range plan tied to April ballot, says final decisions must come in April

Dr. McGinnis, the Saint Joseph School District superintendent, told the Board of Education on March 24 that the district’s long-range plan calls for two high schools, four middle schools and 10 elementary schools to take effect in the fall of 2028 if a ballot measure on April 8 passes.

If voters approve the measure, Dr. McGinnis said, the district would implement a North End high school and a South End high school and place students in those buildings according to new boundaries. "If it passes, then, the restructure, is somewhat simple, and it it's easy for me to, provide that information," Dr. McGinnis said during the superintendent's report.

Why it matters: the plan affects school boundaries, where students will attend beginning in 2028, and the district’s capital timetable. Dr. McGinnis told the board that LJ Hart has provided financial background on the project and that the district currently projects roughly $80,000,000 in bonding capacity without a tax increase to support construction if the ballot measure succeeds.

Details from the presentation and discussion: the intended configuration under the primary scenario would be two high schools (one in the North End and one in the South End), four middle schools (Lafayette, Benton, Bode and Truman), and 10 elementaries. All changes under that scenario would be implemented simultaneously in fall 2028, the superintendent said, to avoid multiple boundary changes.

If the April ballot fails, Dr. McGinnis said the long-range plan still envisions two high schools but the district would instead operate Central and Lafayette as the two high schools because of building capacity. That alternative would require additional boundary and building use changes earlier (the superintendent said some changes could occur for the 2026-27 school year).

The superintendent urged the board to be ready to make a set of planning decisions in April regardless of the election outcome. Key procedural dates mentioned during the meeting: election day on April 8, a reorganization meeting and work session on April 14, and a regular board meeting on April 28. Dr. McGinnis said any ballot language the board wants on an August ballot would likely need board approval in May.

Board members asked about timing, remodeling timelines and the district’s ability to plan if a second attempt is needed. Dr. McGinnis recommended the board consider approving ballot language earlier if the board wants an August placement, noting that waiting until April 2026 could compress the schedule for construction and remodeling.

Next steps: Dr. McGinnis said staff and the board will continue planning and communications; the superintendent flagged additional public presentations already held and said the administration would return with further detail and a clearer timeline after April votes and work sessions.