Marshfield schools is looking to extend its current bond by two years. Long-term planning by the school district in 2020 led to several needs for growth and led to the proposed tax levy of $0.60 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property. Voters approved this levy in April of 2021 and completed several building projects since its effect. The April ballot will read as follows:
“Shall Marshfield R-1 School District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $10,000,000, 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 facilities, including constructing a storm shelter at the East campus and expanding the agriculture department shop? If this question is approved, the District’s debt service property tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.60 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property.”
“A “yes” vote on the April ballot issue will be in support of the new bonds being sold to construct the proposed facilities without an increase to the current tax rate,” explained Superintendent Mike Henry. “A “no” vote would be opposed to the new bonds being sold and not having any new facilities built. Tax rates would still remain the same.”
As Henry explained, the passing of this ballot question would extend the current levy two years. The funds are approved solely for building projects, such as the Early Childhood Center, traffic improvements at Hubble Elementary, addressing water retention areas and the bus lane at the High School.
“What we would want to complete next would be a storm safe space that would house all of the high school and Shook, what we call our east campus. That would be a multipurpose building which would be utilized for our JROTC program, something that the community has asked for,” Henry added. “We would also use the space for band and football, and Shook students would be able to use it for indoor recess. In the event of a storm, all staff and students would be there.”
Another project that the school looks to complete is an expansion of the High School agriculture shop area, which would allow the program to offer a soils and meat processing class.
“We’re designing that to be a phased project. Phase one would be the expansion, phase two would be a working barn so the students can bring livestock in for different procedures and learning experiences. The third phase would be a fieldhouse at the junior high campus,” he added. “This would be a shell metal building with a stone coating. Building trades would be involved with that construction and it would become the home for our wrestling program, which is our most successful program with our highest numbers of involvement K-12.”
The wrestling teams would use the space for practice and part of the building would also be blocked off for baseball and softball to use as an indoor pitching/hitting area. The building would sit on the north side of the baseball field, adjacent to the current restroom building.
To view a full presentation of the proposed bond extension, visit this aricle at www.marshfieldmail.com.
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