Smyrna superintendent urges voters to back March 9 referendum to fund three school projects and services

Susan Brown, superintendent of the Smyrna School District, urged community support for a capital and operating referendum scheduled for March 9, 2024, saying the measure is needed to finish building projects and sustain key services.

Brown said the district passed a referendum in 2021 that "laid the foundation for the future of our district," but that "increased costs have impacted our ability to execute the construction projects as initially envisioned." She told listeners the board of education has "diligently reviewed and approved a capital project and operating expense referendum" that would match state funding and advance three principal construction projects.

The referendum would fund a new intermediate school on Rabbit Chase Road, convert Clayton Intermediate School into Clayton Middle School, and expand North Elementary. Brown described the projects as efforts to "provide an optimal learning environment for every child," not merely additions of space.

Beyond construction, the measure includes operating expenditures the superintendent listed as priorities: recruiting and hiring constables in every school building, delivering mental health support in every school, maintaining competitive salaries for staff, and enhancing instructional technology. Brown also said the referendum would "enable us to offer a rich tapestry of extracurricular activities for the students of our new Middle School."

The superintendent framed the campaign as a partnership between the district and voters and closed by asking residents to vote on March 9. She encouraged people to visit the Smyrna School District website and the district's Facebook page for updates on the campaign and project timelines.

The board has approved placing the combined capital-project and operating-expense question on the March 9 ballot; the outcome now depends on voter approval.