Southwest K.I.D.S. $2.2M bond passes for school improvements
April 3, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
Southwest R-V School students are going to walk into what will seem like brand new buildings in the fall of this year thanks to voters passing a bond issue on the ballot yesterday, April 2. The $2.2 million no-tax increase bond passed with a 76.34 percent approval for Barry County voters.
The General Municipal Election included a bond proposition called K.I.D.S., which was a $2.2 million no-tax increase bond to allow the school to make multiple renovations inside the buildings on campus. Projects will include removing asbestos tile, energy efficient doors and windows in the elementary as well as electrical updates, new floor in the gym and cafeteria and school-wide improvements to the air conditioning and lighting. Also included are a fire and sprinkler system and huge renovations to the elementary and middle school bathrooms.
Southwest superintendent Tosha Tilford said she really appreciates voters' support on the issue. She said, "Thank you for supporting the school district as they have the last couple of years. I know the community is backing us."
Initial projects will begin before the end of the month, according to Tilford, and the projects should be complete by the time school starts in the fall. She said, "I've been assured that it will be done by the end of the summer."
When asked what this means to students in the district, she said, "It means they are going to work into the current buildings that will look like brand new buildings inside. It means that they are going to be educated in a healthy, safe, clean learning environment.”
In all, Southwest needed at least 57 percent of the vote to move forward with the bond. Of 465 Barry County votes, 355 were in favor and 110 were opposed. McDonald County voters in the Southwest District voted 29 in favor and three opposed.
Charlea Estes-Jones
Southwest R-V School students are going to walk into what will seem like brand new buildings in the fall of this year thanks to voters passing a bond issue on the ballot yesterday, April 2. The $2.2 million no-tax increase bond passed with a 76.34 percent approval for Barry County voters.
The General Municipal Election included a bond proposition called K.I.D.S., which was a $2.2 million no-tax increase bond to allow the school to make multiple renovations inside the buildings on campus. Projects will include removing asbestos tile, energy efficient doors and windows in the elementary as well as electrical updates, new floor in the gym and cafeteria and school-wide improvements to the air conditioning and lighting. Also included are a fire and sprinkler system and huge renovations to the elementary and middle school bathrooms.
Southwest superintendent Tosha Tilford said she really appreciates voters' support on the issue. She said, "Thank you for supporting the school district as they have the last couple of years. I know the community is backing us."
Initial projects will begin before the end of the month, according to Tilford, and the projects should be complete by the time school starts in the fall. She said, "I've been assured that it will be done by the end of the summer."
When asked what this means to students in the district, she said, "It means they are going to work into the current buildings that will look like brand new buildings inside. It means that they are going to be educated in a healthy, safe, clean learning environment.”
In all, Southwest needed at least 57 percent of the vote to move forward with the bond. Of 465 Barry County votes, 355 were in favor and 110 were opposed. McDonald County voters in the Southwest District voted 29 in favor and three opposed.
