Fulton schools to once again seek bond issue on ballot

Fulton Schools will once again seek passage of a bond issue in the Nov. 3 general election.

In the primary the district actually had two proposals on the ballot but have decided to trim that to one for what is termed “essential needs” that was defeated by just four votes in August, 602-598.

Board of Education members will not seek passage of the second levy that lost by a much larger margin, 769408, which was for $10,23 million for the construction of a new gymnasium and bus garage, among other items.

The proposal on the November ballot is a 2.95-mill, $9.4 million request that would allow for the purchase of 10 new buses, maintenance vehicles and equipment.

It also includes funding for technology upgrades, classroom renovations and furniture, and new windows, flooring and lights in all buildings.

Also, kitchens at the high school/middle school and elementary school would both be completely renovated and updated.

Superintendent Paul hunger ford pointed out that the district’s newest school bus was 12 years old and “transportation was the biggest driver for the proposal.”

“We need to transport our kids safely,” he said. “We can’t afford to buy buses out of our general fund.”

Fulton Schools has been operating without bonded debt for the past 13 years, Hungerford noted.

However, the district’s buildings are getting older with the newest now at least

40 years old.

“Everything is aging and it’s become time to do something,” Hungerford said.

School officials began the process by hiring the engineering firm Tower-Pinkster and construction managers Wieland Builds Inc. to do a facility needs assessment to help identify essential building projects and upgrades that should be done.

A survey of district residents was also conducted along with community forums in January and February to get further input on what improvements were important to district residents.

The information gathered was used to develop

the bond proposal.

If approved it would cost the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $295 a year in property taxes.