Board approves $18.5 million arts and CTE bond referendum for November ballot

The McCormick County School District board voted unanimously to place a proposed $18.5 million bond referendum on the November ballot to fund an attached performing-arts center and career-technical-education (CTE) expansion.

Administrators presented two options: Option One would add an auditorium (approximately 380 seats with flexible stage/house capacity up to roughly 500), a new band room, a flex space for the Magnet School of the Arts, culinary and CTE spaces and renovations to existing classrooms; the presentation estimated the full build and outfitting at $18.5 million. Option Two would be a stand‑alone auditorium estimated at $14 million. Staff said the $18.5 million figure includes soft costs, site work, furnishings and equipment.

Board members who spoke in discussion emphasized student opportunities, recruitment and retention and the district’s recent academic gains as part of their support for the measure. Administration told trustees the financing plan envisions issuing general-obligation bonds structured over time so the board would not need to raise the local millage rate to cover the annual debt service under current assumptions.

District officials and the public member who spoke at the meeting cautioned that ‘‘no tax increase’’ language can be misleading if presented without context. A resident during public comment urged the board not to describe the project as free to taxpayers, saying, "They are not. They're not getting it free," and warning that long-term bond payments shift how local revenues are used.

The board approved a motion to proceed with the bond referendum as presented by a unanimous voice/hand vote. Administrators said a bond attorney and further public briefings will follow; the board will present referendum language and a timeline, and legal guidance will be provided to trustees on permissible communications about the ballot question.

Next steps identified at the meeting included drafting ballot language with bond counsel, preparing voter information for the fall campaign period, and coordinating outreach in advance of the November referendum.