Campaign for Jackson County school bond election

While there are still over two months until a special school bond election in Jackson County, the campaign for the measure is just getting started.

With the facility bond issue now approved by the Jackson County School Board and the ballot set for a May 18^th election, the campaign and information process now begins. Jackson County School District Superintendent Dr. John Strycker said, “That is informing our school community of what’s in the bond, how we came up with the bond, and how it will benefit our students.”

Right now, the school district is working with the county to make sure the technical aspects of holding an election are squared away, along with publishing information about the bond issue for the public to review.

Dr. Strycker says renderings and additional information will be posted at all of the schools expected to receive upgrades and renovations. “I believe people want to see a picture. They want to see a picture of the auditorium, they want to see a picture of the gymnasium, they want to see a new picture of the classroom additions.”

Separate from the school district’s role in providing information, community members are forming a group to fundraise and campaign for the bond’s passage. “They will actually do their own fundraising, and they can go out and say we want you to vote yes, whereas for me with the taxpayer dollar, which is fair. You know, I’m paid by taxpayers that are not in favor of this, and so I really can’t go out and tell people to vote yes as much as informing people.”

With a few months to go until the polls open, Dr. Strycker hopes people will review all the information presented before casting their ballot. “We are going to communicate that there’s this election May 18th, and we invite people that are opposed or are in favor, but again I just ask people be informed, but yeah, of course we want it to be smooth.”

More information about the $67 million bond issue can be found on the Jackson County School District’s website.