Editor’s note: This is the third of the four-part series on the school bond issue facing Central High voters Feb. 14.More than nine years ago, the voters of the Central High school district turned down a plan to replace their gymnasium.
It was not because the school did not need a new gym. There were other things to accomplish first.
“At that time, our patrons told us that the need for school buses, additional classrooms, and a science laboratory was more important than a new gym,” said CHS superintendent Bennie Newton of the 2002 vote.
The school board and administration went to work, and passed a $200,000 transportation bond the following year, meeting the need for new buses.
In 2005, a $575,000 bond built a six-classroom elementary addition, as well as a science lab at the high school.
The most recent bond issue passed in April 2009. The additional building bond added a new roof to the junior high/high school building, repaired roofs for three modular buildings, one of which became the new early education center for pre- and Kindergarten classes.
“It is evident that those needs have been addressed,” Newton said. “This is the perfect time to build a new gymnasium.”
Voters will go to the polls in less than two weeks to decide the fate of a $5.995 million bond issue that will build a new gymnasium across the street from the current gym.
The issue – the largest in the history of the school – will also provide for heating and air conditioning units for the junior high/high school building.
Current board president Jerry Howell said previous improvements go beyond just what has been funded by bond money.
“I think what the school district has done has exceeded the wishes of the community,” said Howell. “We’ve added the classrooms, and the buses, but there is more. There is a new band room. Many classrooms have Smartboards. Plus, mobile computer technology.
“And the technology is to the benefit of the students,” Howell added. “Central High’s API (Academic Performance Index) is number one in the county.”
Newton also noted that two additional modular buildings now have plans to add additional classroom space, and expanded athletic venues.
“We’ve just recently accepted bids to do work on those modular buildings,” Newton said, who said the improvements leading up to the bond issue are many, including remodeling the bathrooms in the current gymnasium, adding new poles and lights and the baseball field, and the baseball field itself, which was built with privately donated funds.
“We’ve also built a safe room that not only keeps students safe, but it is also built for the community through FEMA funding,” Newton said.
Through all of this work, the indebtedness of a previous bond issue has not been allowed to expire, Newton pointed out.
The 2003 transportation bond was a 17.16 percent increase to taxpayers. In 2005, prior to the expiration of the previous bond, an 11.08 percent increase came with the first building bond. A 9.44 percent increase was experienced with the passing of the 2009 bond, which is on the books until July 1 – an important date should this issue fail.
The proposed tax increase would be 9.96 percent with a successful passage on Feb. 14, but the district would face a much more difficult impact if it waits.
“This is the perfect time to build the new gymnasium,” Newton said. “Our student enrollment has increased dramatically since 2002.
“With our district coming off the tax rolls in July, thus resulting in an over 40 percent tax increase if we wait until after July 1, the timing is perfect for this community to, once again, accomplish another goal for our students,” said Newton.