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Joplin Schools board approves resolution to seek $40 million bond in April election
Summary
The Joplin Schools Board of Education approved a resolution to ask voters to authorize $40 million in general obligation bonds to repair and expand elementary facilities, add an indoor activity facility at Joplin High School and improve Jung Campus; administrators said the measure is expected to not increase the district’s current debt-service tax levy.
The Joplin Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution calling a special April election to seek voter approval for up to $40,000,000 in general obligation bonds to construct, repair, remodel, furnish and equip district facilities.
Superintendent Dr. Ciccheta read key language of the proposed ballot question, saying the board "finds it necessary and hereby declares its intent to borrow $40,000,000 for the purpose of constructing, improving, repairing, remodeling, furnishing and equipping new and existing school facilities," and listed targeted projects including improvements at multiple elementary schools and an indoor education and activity facility at Joplin High School.
District leaders said the authorization is expected to produce "no tax rate increase in the district's current debt service tax levy," which they reported as 0.7616 per $100 of assessed valuation. Board members praised the long-range facilities planning process and stakeholders’ involvement, and moved to instruct the board secretary to file the necessary instruments with the Jasper and Newton county clerks.
Board members clarified the stakeholder list after the reading and moved to remove a financial adviser from the stakeholder language; the board then voted to approve the revised resolution and to proceed with the election timeline.
Why it matters: Administrators said the bond would fund improvements at Stapleton, Eastmoreland, Cecil Floyd, Kelsey Norman, McKinley, Royal (Bridal) Heights and Jefferson elementaries, an indoor education/activity facility at Joplin High School, and Jung Campus work — items the district’s long-range facilities committee identified as priorities.
What’s next: With the board’s approval, the district will file the resolution and notify county clerks to place the question on an April special election ballot. If approved by voters, the district would issue general obligation bonds to fund the projects. The board said it expects no increase to the debt-service tax levy as a result of the authorization.
