R-3
may seek another
bond
issue in 2004
by Shana
Haines
Landmark reporter
During a retreat meeting on Nov. 5 Platte County R-3
School Board members discussed the idea of presenting
a bond issue for a new middle school to voters in the
not-too-distant future.
According to Dr. Mark Harpst, Platte County R-3 superintendent,
the board discussed the possibility of taking a bond issue
to voters in April 2004. Harpst said the current middle
school is reaching its student capacity levels.
Harpst said he is unsure at this time the amount of the
bond issue or the size of the facility, would be that
built.
Harpst said if a new middle school is constructed it
would be located on the 70-acres recently purchased south
of the Northland Career Center.
"We hope that residents will want to protect their
investment in the school," Harpst said.
Harpst added if a new middle school is built, the current
middle school building will be combined with Platte County
High School allowing an expansion.
"We are getting crowded. The high school is filling
up," Harpst said.
Harpst added that the elementary schools are at a comfortable
capacity level and will not be addressed with the bond
issue.
Other items the board discussed during the meeting included
an overview of the financial status for the school district.
Harpst said the financial status for the district is
adequate.
"We are getting the same amount of funding as we
were getting in 1992. So we depend a lot on tax dollars,"
Harpst said.
Harpst said there is almost a half a million dollars
yet to be collected in taxes from previous years.
He further indicated that he doesn't believe the economy
will negatively affect the bond issue, if it's presented
to voters.
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