Wellman

With the November election approaching, Mid-Prairie is looking to place a $19 million bond referendum on the ballot to help fund a new event entrance, additional classroom space and a new 500-seat auditorium for band, choir, theater and community events.

The district called a special session for Friday, Aug. 14, to provide an update on the petition signatures. In order to place the bond referendum on the November ballot, 771 signatures were required.

During the board's previous meeting on Monday, Aug. 10, choir teacher and director Collette McClellen provided an update on the effort to gather signatures by going door to door throughout the district. At the time of the meeting, the group was close to reaching the required 771 signatures, having collected 767.

McClellen had plenty of help throughout the process. During the previous meeting, she was joined by students Fiona McClellen, Emma Smith, Lael Seale and Greyson Ghumm, who spoke to the board about their experiences gathering signatures.

She also spoke about the many hours she and the students spent gathering signatures and answering questions from residents about the bond and levy.

“We have been out many, many hours walking around town. We even went all around SouthTown.”

She then explained what they would tell residents who had questions or concerns about the bond.

“We would very much emphasize the tax-neutral benefit.”

McClellen also said the community had been very supportive throughout the process. “The public is super supportive. There are so many people that are like, ‘Oh, this sounds amazing! This is great.’”

Just a few days later, the group reached its goal, collecting more than the required 771 signatures to move the bond referendum forward for the November election.

When the bond proposal was discussed back in March, the district emphasized that it would not increase the property tax levy rate.

After hearing the update, Board President Randy Billups asked the board to consider a resolution prepared by the Ahlers & Cooney law firm to officially call for an election on the issuance of $19 million in General Obligation School Bonds. The board unanimously approved the resolution.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place Monday, Aug. 24, at 6:15 p.m. in the Central Office Community Room.