After bond defeat, Central SD 13J board discusses smaller bond options, grant application and Monmouth Elementary safety
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Summary
A public commenter urged Central School District 13J to scale back its recent bond and return with a more specific proposal; the board discussed options including a smaller May bond, applying for a $6 million state grant (referred to in discussion as the "awesome" grant), and the security and safety needs at Monmouth Elementary School.
At the Dec. 2 meeting, a community member urged Central School District 13J to rework the district’s recent bond proposal into a smaller, more specific package and to avoid deferred-interest financing. That comment set the tone for an extended board discussion about next steps after a recent unsuccessful ballot effort.
Shannon Ball, who identified herself as a community member, asked the board to “reevaluate the recent bond and bring a refined proposal back to the voters in May” that lists individual projects and estimated costs for each school. Ball said voters want transparency and that smaller, clearer bonds can build trust. She also urged the board to avoid “deferred interest” financing, which she said would saddle voters with high interest costs over time. Ball recommended pursuing a state grant of roughly $6 million that the superintendent had referenced, so smaller projects could be completed without additional tax burden.
Board members discussed multiple options: (1) go back to voters with the full package again, (2) place a smaller, targeted bond on the May ballot to address near-term needs and pursue a larger measure later, or (3) delay and assemble more detail before asking voters for a major bond. Superintendent Kubista and staff encouraged applying for the state grant now; they said submitting the district’s name for the grant does not obligate the board to place a bond on the ballot but could make matching funds available if the district goes forward later.
Staff gave timeline guidance: to put a bond before voters in May the board needs a finished bond title and materials submitted by about Feb. 20–21; the deadline for the November ballot would be in August. Staff also said the district’s application for the state grant is due Dec. 15 and that submitting an application early would not commit the board to a bond campaign.
Board members also spent time on safety and facility details at Monmouth Elementary School (MES). District staff described the difference between a “secure” status — where exterior doors are locked and students remain in building routines but cannot go to recess — and a “lockdown,” in which students stay within classrooms. Staff said the district recently had to bring additional police assistance at MES because the school’s exterior doors could not be secured; they said MES has roughly 48 exterior doors and several portable classrooms, which complicates securing the site. A trustee observed that replacing or substantially renovating MES would likely be far more expensive than smaller repairs, and board members said they need clearer cost estimates to weigh options.
Trustees asked staff to prepare cost estimates and bond packaging options for a Dec. 16 workshop; board members also signaled support for proceeding with the district’s grant application. Several trustees emphasized the need to explain to the public the constraints that govern school construction and procurement and to be transparent about alternatives if a bond is not approved.
