The need for improvements to the buildings of the Warsaw R-9 School District has prompted the Board of Education to ask voters to approve Proposition KIDS on April 2. The bond issue will not increase the tax rate but will give the district a $18,000,000 general bond to construct, remodel, upgrade and repair existing buildings.
According to R-9 Superintendent Scott Gemes, passage of Proposition KIDS will not increase the district tax rate.
“Warsaw R-9 has a tax rate of $2.75 operating levy and 80 cents debt service. That rate will not change with the passage of Proposition KIDS,” said Gemes.
The State of Missouri set the tax rate at $2.75 and the school district can increase that rate. In comparison, Lincoln R-2 School District has an operating levy of $3.4331.
In addition to adding a fifth-grade wing to the middle school, there will be multiple remodeling projects associated with Proposition KIDS.
Both a boys’ and girls’ bathroom will be added to WHS. Presently the only girls’ and boys’ restrooms are the ones originally installed when WHS was constructed in 1969. WHS presently has 400 students with only two restrooms.
“It is just like your home,” said R-9 Board member Leslie Grace. “After so many years, everyone has to update their home. Our elementary schools were built in the 50’s and we need to do some replacing of bathrooms. I also want our preschoolers in the buildings instead of trailers.”
Of course, parents are very interested in the passage of Proposition KIDS on April 2, there are many retired people in the community who are also interested in the education of Warsaw students. Katie Johnson, former teacher and local farmer, wants the very best for Warsaw students as well.
“My boys graduated from WHS, however, I am still interested in the education of all our students,” said Johnson. “We need this bond issue to pass because the school has issues such as preschool and remodeling of the high school as well as a remodel of the stage and music rooms. I would love for the district to build a fine arts center, but replacing the sound system and lights would help to improve our musical productions.”
Registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on Tuesday, April 2; however, any registered voter can vote at the Benton County Courthouse any day of the week until the election. According to Tory Viebrock, the Benton County Clerk’s Office will be open for absentee voting every day until the election from 8:00 AM until noon and then 1:00 PM until 4:30 PM. The office will also be open on Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 8:00 AM until noon and Monday, April 1, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
Voters will need to present a valid photo ID in order to cast a vote such as a Missouri driver’s license, a Missouri non-driver license, a U.S. Passport or a military ID.
Polls in the Warsaw School District will open on April 2 at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM.
