View FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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April 3, 2024
For Immediate Release
Mexico School District
Contact: Marci Orr, Communications
[email protected]
Mexico School District Gratefully Acknowledges Community Support for Successful Passage of Paws for Progress School Bond Issue
The Board of Education, administration, and staff of Mexico School District extend their heartfelt gratitude to the local community for its overwhelming support in passing the Paws for Progress school bond issue with an impressive 67.98% approval rate. The ballot measure required a 57% majority for successful passage, highlighting the community's resounding endorsement with 826 votes in favor and 389 opposing.
The Paws for Progress proposal encompasses a range of crucial initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, security, and the overall infrastructure of campus buildings. These include vital upgrades to HVAC systems, improvements to accessibility, renovations to playgrounds, and necessary building expansions. The comprehensive plan for these enhancements has been in motion since October 2022, following the Board of Education's approval to collaborate with Facility Solutions Group (FSG) to devise a strategic framework for facility improvements and maintenance.
Integral to the district's financial planning is the insight provided by LJ Hart, a reputable school bond service company. Regular financial reports from LJ Hart, combined with assessments of local Assessed Valuation, have ensured the district can issue new bonds while maintaining the debt service levy at a steady $0.8691 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property. Through responsible refinancing and timely repayment of bonds, the district has maximized its bonding capacity without necessitating a tax tate increase.
The successful passage of Paws for Progress enables essential projects outlined in the ballot language for April 2. These initiatives include the replacement or upgrade of HVAC systems district-wide, roofing and fire alarm system enhancements, the construction of new classroom additions, kitchen renovations at the Middle School, and numerous improvements to the High School, including a new secure entrance, Performing Arts theater upgrades, field turf installation, tennis court additions, and the construction of a concession building.
Moreover, the bond includes the renovation of playgrounds at Hawthorne Elementary School, Eugene Field Elementary School, and the McMillan Early Learning Center. Additional repairs and improvements to existing facilities will also be undertaken as resources permit, ensuring a comprehensive approach to enhancing educational environments throughout the district.
The district emphasizes that the successful outcome of the bond referendum not only underscores the commitment to the betterment of schools and the community but also demonstrates a steadfast dedication to the future success of students. The support of the community enables the district to pursue essential capital projects that will benefit generations of students to come, providing them with an environment conducive to learning, growth, and achievement.
Moving forward, the Mexico School District pledges to maintain transparency and communication regarding bond progress and information. Updates will be disseminated through the district website, the Paw Prints family newsletter, and the district's Facebook page.
In conclusion, the Mexico School District expresses profound appreciation for the unwavering support of the community. Together, thie district will continue to strive for excellence in education, ensuring that every student receives the quality learning experience they deserve.
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March 8, 2024: "I feel like other things need to be done. Why are these the items listed on the bond projects?"
The Board of Education approved a contract with Facility Solutions Group (FSG) to prioritize district needs through professional counsel. This process began in October 2022. FSG completed building walk throughs with the maintenance team, and worked with building principals and Central Office administrators, to determine projects of importance for the district and community.
The district also receives regular feedback from LJ Hart, our bond service company. The company’s review of our school finances, coupled with local Assessed Valuation, allows our district to have the capacity to issue new bonds while keeping our debt service levy the same. The district has responsibly refinanced and repaid bonds to add to this bonding capacity. No tax-rate increase will be required.
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March 5, 2024: How did the district determine projects for the bond?
The district carefully monitors bond timelines with our school bond company LJ Hart, who offers an annual board presentation on the district's investments.
Planning for "Paws for Progress" bond began a few years back, prior to October 2022, when the Board of Education approved a contract with Facility Solutions Group (FSG) to start prioritizing projects campus-wide. FSG worked with school maintenance and administrators to determine what was needed for upgrades and construction.
In May 2023, LJ Hart offered a public presentation during the Board of Education meeting regarding bond expirations and timelines and when the district would be able to offer a no tax-rate increase bond to its patrons.
When school started this year, the district dug into planning for "Paws for Progress." In September, the Ledger ran the article, pictured below, after more public discussion of the bond during the September board meeting.
In October, a facilities committee held the first of three meetings to plan for the bond.
Many pieces come together to plan for a school district general obligation bond. It is not a decision that can be made quickly, instead, it takes a few years and much planning to put into motion.
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February 29, 2024: How is it possible to issue bonds without a tax rate increase?
Thanks to good financial management by the Board of Education, the Mexico School District is in a position to ask for bonds without raising taxes. This is a result of paying off existing debts and refinancing for better rates. Because of these factors, we have room in our state-set debt limit to issue additional bonds with a no-tax rate increase.
The district has room to borrow money and extend these loans. If the bond passes, the loan will be extended by nine years. We will continue to carefully monitor our debt and interest rates to save taxpayer dollars.
If it was not for the no-tax rate increase bond issue, would taxes go down?
Because the District is still paying off existing debt, the debt service levy will not decrease. Even if the proposition is not approved by voters in April, the District will use the taxes collected at the current rate to continue aggressively payoff other existing debt.
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February 26, 2024: Why is a no tax rate increase bond needed?
We continually hear from our community and staff that it’s important to maintain and update our current facilities and continue to educate our students in a safe environment.
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HVAC systems are outdated by up to 30 years and not working at capacity. In the August heat and January cold, systems cannot keep up; this has resulted in school cancellations.
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Items such as fire alarms, fencing at EF playground, and appropriate playground equipment for small children at MELC will keep students safe.
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Secure entries at MHS and MMS for safety and security measures.
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Lighting in Emmons Hall has been removed from upgrade lists for many years. It has become harder to find bulbs as government mandates have moved to LED bulbs, which are not compatible with the dimmer rack.
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Accessibility at MHS includes upgrading the main elevator; service calls have become more frequent. The elevator will be updated for safety and accessibility purposes. Additionally, the Sports Complex lift chair will be replaced with a small elevator. The original lift is not heavy enough for school use. It is broken, and the district has not found a qualified repair person for the brand. Parts cannot be located. Moving from a screw-drive-type chair lift to a hydraulic elevator will allow us to use, maintain, and repair the elevator.
Any questions regarding bond Information can be answered by the school district via phone at 573-581-3773 or email at [email protected].
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February 15, 2024: What is the ballot language for the bond and how can bond money be used?
With a school bond, bond monies can only be used to pay for capital projects, like facilities and equipment. Bond monies cannot be used for regular operational costs like salaries or supplies.
The ballot language for a general obligation bond states what the monies will pay for.
The no tax-rate increase bond on the April 2 ballot for the school district states what the Paws for Progress bond is earmarked for:
"Shall the Board of Education of the Mexico School District No. 59, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Twenty-One Million Dollars ($21,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to replace or upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, roofing, and fire alarm systems District-wide; to construct, equip, and furnish a new classroom addition and renovate the kitchen at the Middle School; to construct a new secure entrance, complete Performing Arts theater upgrades, install field turf, add tennis courts, and build, equip, and furnish a concession building at the High School; to renovate the Hawthorne Elementary School, Eugene Field Elementary School, and McMillan Early Learning Center playgrounds; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements to 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 $0.8691 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property."
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January 4, 2024 - Ballot Language Approval
The Mexico School District will place a $21 million bond on the April 2, 2024 ballot. The bond title is "Paws for Progress."
Bond proceeds will be used to:
*replace or upgrade heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, roofing, and fire alarm systems District-wide;
*to construct, equip, and furnish a new classroom addition and renovate the kitchen at the Middle School;
*to construct a new secure entrance, complete Performing Arts theater upgrades, install field turf on the softball field, add tennis courts, and build, equip, and furnish a concession building at the High School;
*to renovate the Hawthorne Elementary School, Eugene Field Elementary School, and McMillan Early Learning Center playgrounds.
Central Office is working on several informational items that you will see in various outlets up until the April 2, 2024 election.
As we approach the election, if you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to Central Office or communications so we can provide timely and accurate answers.
At the December board meeting, the board of education approved the above ballot language for the April 2, 2024 election.
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May 16, 2023: In May 2023, LJ Hart offered workshop during the regular session board meeting. This public presentation included a Preliminary Financial Analysis regarding bond expirations and timelines and when the district would be able to offer a no tax-rate increase bond to its patrons. You can listen to the livestream of this board discussion here, beginning at the 1:45 mark.
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October 18, 2022: The Board of Education approved a proposal and an agreement with Facility Solutions Group (FSG) for engineering and construction administration services. FSG has since worked with the district to locate and prioritize projects, updates, maintenance, and construction for the Paws for Progress bond.
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Bond questions?
Contact: [email protected]
(573) 581-3773 ext 2409
Paid for by Mexico School District No. 59
Melissa Chastain, Superintendent
2101 Lakeview Road, Mexico, MO 65265