Board told to seek new voter approval to build Troy High tech wing; special vote to use paper ballots

Superintendent (identified in the meeting by role) told the Troy City School District board on Oct. 16 that the district must return to voters to revise the 2019 proposition wording to permit construction of a new Troy High School technology facility and later demolish the existing tech wing.

"The wording has now become problematic," the Superintendent said, explaining that state education department discussions allowed the district to build a new facility in the parking lot south of the building and then demolish the current tech wing rather than reconstruct while students are occupying the space. The Superintendent emphasized repeatedly that the plan does not require new borrowing.

The Superintendent said the district plans a public vote on Dec. 3 to approve the revised language. Because county voting machines are being retained for an upcoming presidential election and potential recounts, the district will run the special vote with paper ballots, privacy booths and a lockbox. The superintendent said the county could have made machines available in late January, but waiting would delay construction and risk missing a full summer of work.

Board members discussed outreach and logistics. One board member noted recent changes to voting districts in Troy and the difficulty of reaching nonparent voters; the Superintendent and other staff said the district will publicize locations on its website and at school events and will conduct training for approved election inspectors.

No motion to authorize borrowing or construction was made during the presentation; the item was presented as an informational update and as notice of the forthcoming public vote.