Voters who reside within the Fayette R-III School District will decide April 7 whether to approve a $2 million bond issue to fund major improvements to the high school football stadium.

If passed, the bond would finance upgrades to bleachers, a press box, a concession stand, and restrooms. The district emphasizes the proposal would not raise the current debt service levy of $0.7762 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The Fayette Board of Education last October approved the following ballot language: “Shall Fayette R-III School District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $2,000,000, estimated to result in no increase to the District’s debt service property tax levy, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, repairing, renovating, furnishing and equipping school sites and facilities, including improvements and upgrades to the District athletic stadium, restrooms, and concessions stand? If this question is approved, the District’s debt service property tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.7762 per $100 dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.” (See sample ballots on Page 8).

Superintendent Brent Doolin and the board prepared for the new borrowing by paying off $1.045 million of existing debt in February. That move saved the district approximately $82,000 in future interest and increased debt service reserves to roughly $300,000.

School districts often use this approach with bond issues to keep debt service at levels voters have previously approved, avoiding the need for tax increases once older debt is retired. If the April bond fails, property taxpayers could see a moderate reduction in their annual tax bill.

The proposal does not include funding for a synthetic turf football field. That option was considered but ultimately abandoned because of the high cost.

The board is also eyeing a much larger bond issue around 2031 to construct a new high school gymnasium, though any figures for that future project remain speculative.

The board will see a slight lineup change after the April 7 election. Two-term member Sarah Wies did not seek a new term. Incumbents Shauna Young and Aaron Bentley, along with newcomer Max Hilderbrand, are running for three open seats and will be sworn in at the board’s next meeting on April 13.

The school board meets at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library on the third Wednesday of every month except July. Meetings are open to the public, agendas are published in advance on the district’s website, and the public is invited. The board’s next meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, to comply with state law to meet within 10 days of the election.