Voters will decide a $31.1 million building project on Dec. 8

What happened

On Oct. 5 the board gave preliminary approval to a Capital Improvement Project of up to $31,102,930 and set a Dec. 8, 2026 vote on two linked propositions. Proposition 1 ($23,151,555) adds a gym, cafeteria and auditorium at Clough and tears down the flood-closed former Staley Elementary. Proposition 2 ($7,951,375) replaces the closed RFA Stadium grandstand and only counts if Proposition 1 passes. Bonds of up to $22,091,430 would be issued. The board vote was 6 yes, 1 absent.

Why it matters to families

Voters are being asked to approve the biggest building plan since Staley closed in 2021, which left about 582 students moved to other schools. The district says the plan is built to avoid a new tax increase, using state building aid, FEMA and insurance money, and savings. That claim is the district's own and is not yet shown in the documents.

The evidence

The Oct. 5, 2026 minutes record a bond resolution for a project not to exceed $31,102,930, with up to $6,300,000 from the capital reserve, $1,644,000 in insurance money and bonds up to $22,091,430, and a roll call with all present members voting yes. The district's capital project page lists both propositions and the Dec. 8 vote. An Aug. 3 workshop showed three scenarios ($58.9M, $31.0M and $25.4M); on Aug. 17 the board authorized developing the roughly $31 million 'Scenario 2'.

The source