Princeton Voters To Decide Tax Proposal For School Improvements

Voters in the Princeton R-5 School District will decide in April whether or not to approve what board members call a “no tax increase” proposal to fund a two-phase construction project.
The R-5 Board of Education, during a meeting on Thursday night, voted to place the issue on the ballot on April 5. The board is asking that the district be allowed to borrow money in the amount of $975,000 for the purpose of providing funds for several projects that would take place next year. The first step of the project, which addresses immediate needs of the district, would include the renovation of the playground, installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at the high school and elementary school and completion of drainage site improvements as well as other remodeling and repair improvements to the existing facilities, if funds are available.
Bonds would be issued to pay for the work and, if approved, the district would maintain its current debt service levy at 95.32 cents per $100 assessed valuation to pay for those bonds.
The board has been working for several months with the CTS group and HTK Architects to develop a master plan for the district. Step One addresses immediate needs of the district while the second step would address future needs of the district. Step Two, to be pursued by the district once Step One is complete, involves earthwork, demolition, utility relocation, improved site drainage, a new preschool, a new weight room, parking improvements, fire alarms at the high school, bleachers at the football field, a maintenance building and improvements to sidewalks and ADA compliance.
“The board is united in working to improve the Princeton R-5 School District for its students, parents and community,” Superintendent Dr. Jerry Girdner said.
Persons with questions about the plans or the proposed ballot issue can call the superintendent’s office.
In other business taken care of at the meeting, board members approved the retirements of custodian Virginia Gerke and junior high English instructor Tana Moore at the end of the school year. Junior high science teacher Tyson Miller’s resignation was also accepted.