Jackson schools schedule new bond vote

Jackson voters will take another crack at a bond issue to renovate and expand their aging high school this spring.

On Monday, Jackson School Board members unanimously voted to place the $27 million issue on the April 5 ballot. The issue failed by less than 1 percentage point in last November's election.

"It's still vitally important. The need hasn't gone way," said Jim Welker, assistant school superintendent in Jackson. "The longer we wait, the more expensive the project will get from the standpoint of interest rates and cost of materials."

If passed, the bond issue would allow for construction of:

* Language arts, foreign language and business classrooms

* A library/media center

* An agribusiness/industrial technology, family and consumer science building

* A new cafeteria and kitchen

* An events center for performances and athletic activities.

Additional parking would be added, and renovations would take place in the remaining buildings.

The project would cost the average owner of a $100,000 home around $128 more per year in property taxes. If approved in April, the bond issue would allow construction to begin by the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

As in November, April's vote will require approval by a four-sevenths majority, or 57.14 percent.

"The first time was very positive. If it had been just 45 percent or something, we might have dropped the issue," said Gerald Adams, board president. "It's hard to get over getting 56 percent and still losing."

Adams said tours of the high school and door-to-door visits will begin again soon as part of the bond campaign.

cclark@semissourian.com

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