Proposition K.I.D.S. (Keep Improving District Schools)

March 27, 2023

Voters will be going to the polls on Tuesday, April 4. On the ballot, is Proposition K.I.D.S. (Keep Improving District Schools). The Paris R-II School District is seeking a No Tax Increase General Obligation Bond Issue in the amount of 2 million dollars for the purpose of providing funds to complete the following renovation and remodeling improvements to the Agricultural/Administration Building including safe and secure entrances and streamlined learning, shop, transportation, maintenance, administrative spaces, and community room; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities. If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.4900 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

The Paris R-II School District and Facility Advisory group identified the physical needs of the district and prioritized them. The focus of the bond issue will be the Ag/Admin Building. The majority of the last no tax increase bond issue focused on safety and security and the structural integrity and infrastructure needs of the elementary, junior high, and high school. This bond issue will fund renovations and improvements to the Ag/Admin Building to better meet the needs of our students, staff, and community.
The three focus areas are Agriculture, Transportation and Maintenance, and the Community.

Agriculture
We have one of the top FFA programs in the nation.
Improved classroom space.
Improved shop space.
Event space.
Event preparation areas/dressing rooms.
Instructional kitchen/food science lab.
Secure entrance.

Transportation and Maintenance
Efficient storage space.
Pull through garage for bus repairs and maintenance.
Canopy for bus maintenance and protection.
Staff meeting and planning area.

Community
Community room.
Event space.
Tables and chairs for 250 people.
Access to kitchen/food science lab.
More welcoming and secure entrance area.
Roll up door serving area in kitchen/food science lab.

Several questions arise when bond issues are presented to the public. One of the first questions is, "Will this bond issue raise my taxes?" The answer is, "No," Voter approval of the $2 million bond issue would not increase the District's current debt service tax rate levy of 49 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Another question is, "What would happen in the bond issue does not pass?" The renovations and improvements bringing the building to the 21st century and serving our students and community in a fitting way for the Top FFA program in the nation would be postponed indefinitely. The debt service tax rate levy would remain unchanged whether the bond issue passes or fails, taxes will not decrease. The Paris R-II School District appreciates and understands the community's dedication to the district. The district has worked diligently to maximize finances to serve the students. Over the past five years, the District has refinanced bonds, saving the district $843,977 in interest.



Locations of Racks
deadlines
F&M Bank