Proposition S: Safety and Security for Our Students

No tax bond issue

Over the past year, the Northwest R-I School District Facilities Committee has studied our buildings and has been working to update the five-year Facilities Plan. The committee is composed of parents, staff, and administration from each school and the District. Northwest plans in a five-year cycle for improvements and passed the most recent no-tax-rate-increase bond issue in 2018. 

In the Spring of 2022, members of a contracted architectural firm walked each site with building and district administration and assessed the current and most urgent facility repair and maintenance needs. The committee formed an initial list of projects and collected community-wide input through a survey and community input site visits at each location.

After gathering community input and following a Board of Education work session, the following items were deemed the highest priority for this five-year Facilities Plan:

  • Fire alarm panels 

  • Phone system upgrades

  • Intercom system replacements

  • Surveillance system upgrades

  • Secure entry renovations

  • Playground equipment at all elementary schools and ECC

  • Plumbing/restroom improvements

  • Storm drainage improvements

  • Site circulation improvements

  • Renovations and addition to Valley Middle School

  • Multipurpose addition to high school gym

  • Bus lot and facility improvements

  • Early Childhood tricycle track

  • House Springs gymnasium addition

  • Exterior classroom wing enclosures

  • Exterior gates and canopies

  • ADA lift for accessibility 

The final list of projects reflects the Board of Education’s commitment to enhance the security and safety of our facilities and improve the quality of learning experiences for students across the District.

At the December 15, 2022 Board of Education meeting, the Board voted unanimously on the language for a $28 million no-tax-increase bond issue to be included on the April 4, 2023 ballot. The ballot language will read as follows:

Official Ballot Language

Proposition S
Northwest R-I School District, Jefferson County, MO
Tuesday, April 4, 2023

“Shall the Board of Education of the Northwest R-1 School District of Jefferson County, Missouri borrow money in the amount of $28,000,000 for the purposes of acquiring, renovating, constructing, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities as recommended by the Facilities Planning Committee, including renovations to enhance security in school entryways, upgrades and enhancements to surveillance and intercom systems, construction and reconfiguration of classrooms to adjoin main buildings for student safety, improve site circulation for buses and private transportation, expansion of athletic facilities, and installation of new playground equipment, 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 the current rate of $0.5896 per $100 assessed valuation of real and personal property."

What is a bond issue?

A bond issue is a common way for schools to borrow money to pay for major school capital projects. Bond proceeds can be used for capital improvements, renovations, construction, and furnishing and equipping school sites. Bond proceeds cannot be used for operating costs such as salaries, staffing, or supplies.

What will be the cost for individual taxpayers?

The bond issue requires no tax rate increase. The school district’s debt service levy will remain unchanged at $0.5896 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property.

How is it possible to issue bonds without a tax increase? 

The Northwest School District is in a position to ask for bonds without raising taxes. This is a result of paying off existing debts early and refinancing for better rates. Our bonding capacity allows us to take on additional debt with no tax increase.