P.A.W.S focus of Cassville Schools April Bond Initiative
December 14, 2022
Ezra DeVore
On November 17, the Cassville school district’s board of education approved a resolution to construct a new performing arts center, repurposing space for a wrestling program, and general repairs and maintenance across the District. A special school bond election will therefore be held on April 4, 2023, with the vote deciding the actions of the school district.
If initiated, Paragon Architecture has been selected as the District’s architect for the projects. R.E. Smith was previously chosen as the District’s construction management company for the project.
Merlyn Johnson, superintendent for the Cassville school district, states that this will be a no-tax rate increase initiative. Johnson also says that the bond proceeds will allow for improved opportunities and space at the high school for students in the fine arts programs, including opportunities to become familiar with advanced programming, recording, and sound systems.
This performing arts center would also serve as a site for elementary school concerts, award programs, and movie nights.
“The addition of the performing arts center will be something the community can be proud of and use for many community-related events,” Johnson states.
He predicts that relocating a number of fine arts classes will create space for other needs on the campus, such as the desired space for wrestling. There will be safety and energy upgrades with all projects, which would include energy-saving/maintenance repairs and upgrades throughout all campuses. Many of these upgrades center around the campus’s older buildings, such as the primary and middle schools. A focal point of the improvements will also be to secure the entryway into the high school even further.
“We are very excited about the possibilities of this bond initiative,” Johnson continues. “School improvement is an ongoing process, and something school districts should never stop doing. The selected projects on the April 4 ballot are all student-centered improvements. Cassville R-IV students deserve the same opportunities as many neighboring districts. If you have a particular topic you would like addressed, or if you have any ideas or questions concerning the bond initiative, please contact me by email at [email protected]. or phone at (417) 847-2221.”
The project is estimated to cost 9 million dollars and will be on the April 4, 2023, ballot.
The bond initiative is projected to read as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Cassville R-IV School District, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to construct, equip, and furnish a new Performing Arts Center on the High School campus; to implement energy saving/maintenance improvements, including roofs, windows, electrical systems, gutters, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units, and lighting; to complete safety upgrades District-wide; to repurpose existing space for the wrestling program; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements of the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.5071 per one hundred dollars of assessed evaluation of real and personal property.
On November 17, the Cassville school district’s board of education approved a resolution to construct a new performing arts center, repurposing space for a wrestling program, and general repairs and maintenance across the District. A special school bond election will therefore be held on April 4, 2023, with the vote deciding the actions of the school district.
If initiated, Paragon Architecture has been selected as the District’s architect for the projects. R.E. Smith was previously chosen as the District’s construction management company for the project.
Merlyn Johnson, superintendent for the Cassville school district, states that this will be a no-tax rate increase initiative. Johnson also says that the bond proceeds will allow for improved opportunities and space at the high school for students in the fine arts programs, including opportunities to become familiar with advanced programming, recording, and sound systems.
This performing arts center would also serve as a site for elementary school concerts, award programs, and movie nights.
“The addition of the performing arts center will be something the community can be proud of and use for many community-related events,” Johnson states.
He predicts that relocating a number of fine arts classes will create space for other needs on the campus, such as the desired space for wrestling. There will be safety and energy upgrades with all projects, which would include energy-saving/maintenance repairs and upgrades throughout all campuses. Many of these upgrades center around the campus’s older buildings, such as the primary and middle schools. A focal point of the improvements will also be to secure the entryway into the high school even further.
“We are very excited about the possibilities of this bond initiative,” Johnson continues. “School improvement is an ongoing process, and something school districts should never stop doing. The selected projects on the April 4 ballot are all student-centered improvements. Cassville R-IV students deserve the same opportunities as many neighboring districts. If you have a particular topic you would like addressed, or if you have any ideas or questions concerning the bond initiative, please contact me by email at [email protected]. or phone at (417) 847-2221.”
The project is estimated to cost 9 million dollars and will be on the April 4, 2023, ballot.
The bond initiative is projected to read as follows: Shall the Board of Education of the Cassville R-IV School District, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to construct, equip, and furnish a new Performing Arts Center on the High School campus; to implement energy saving/maintenance improvements, including roofs, windows, electrical systems, gutters, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units, and lighting; to complete safety upgrades District-wide; to repurpose existing space for the wrestling program; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements of the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.5071 per one hundred dollars of assessed evaluation of real and personal property.
