Shelby voters to consider 2.8-mill bond issue for new pre-K-8 school

SHELBY - Superintendent Tim Tarvin says residents will never get a better deal than the one being offered Nov. 6.

Voters will consider a 2.8-mill, 37-year bond issue for a pre-K through grade eight building in the general election.

The cost to the community will be $10.2 million.

"It is going to be the lowest it will ever be," Tarvin said.

Overall, the cost of the project is $33.6 million. The state would pay for 50 percent. In addition, the district would kick in $6.6 million through the general fund, money left over from the high school project and money borrowed against existing PI bonds.

According to projections from the district, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay $98 a year. Residents 65 or older in a similar home who earn less than $32,200 a year may qualify for a homestead exemption and pay $73.50 a year.

The project is scaled down from earlier versions that included a football stadium and renovations to the middle school.

Voters turned down those ballot initiatives in November of last year and May by wide margins. Many voters did not want the football stadium moved from its location near downtown.

Tarvin said school officials listened to voters and went in another direction.

"People understand the issue," Tarvin said. "We're only asking for a pre-K through eight school."

Tarvin said the cost of the project is less than a pre-K through grade four school would be, in part because the state would not share at a 50-50 cost for a pre-K through four. In that scenario, the middle school would have to be renovated.

The total cost for that project would be $43.8 million, Tarvin previously said.

School officials also have said renovations would cost more than building new.

Scott Harvey, director of buildings and grounds, said at a town hall that a study revealed the district would have to spend $15 million to make basic renovations, and that was five years ago.

School officials have held three town halls that have run on Facebook Live. Tarvin wants voters to be informed.

"We feel like our message has gotten out there in an accurate way," the superintendent said.

Tarvin is also pleased with community engagement this time around, saying a number of people have offered to help with the campaign.

Time is of the essence because if voters turn reject this bond issue, Shelby would likely fall down a list of districts in line for state money.

Shelby is currently third, but more than 30 districts have issues on next month's ballot.

"We're all competing for that same slice of pie," Tarvin said. "We have one of the smallest millage rates in the state."

Tarvin is hoping the voting results will be different this time.

"I'm thankful to the people of Shelby for trying to gain more information," he said. "That tells me they're trying to understand the issue better. I thank them for even considering our issue."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill