Miller R-2 will build new elementary after all
High School to receive additional improvements
by David Geurin
August 07, 2007
The final votes were counted and the Miller R-2 capital projects levy passed with a 52% majority voting in favor of the measure. As a result, the school district will be able to construct a new elementary school to address many serious problems with the current facilities. In addition, the high school will receive several enhancements as $100,000 of the $4.2 million in revenue will be allocated to the JH/HS building.
With 100% of the precincts reporting, the capital projects levy passed with 52% voting for the proposal and 48% voting against it. In total, there were 631 yes votes to 575 no votes.
Because the current ballot proposal passed by more than a 1% margin, there will be no recount of this election. In April, a similar measure failed by a narrow margin. Since that measure failed by less than a 1% margin the district called for and was granted a recount. However, the election results stood and the bond levy was defeated.
Voter turnout was expected to be heavy for the August 7th election. For many weeks leading up to the election, the Miller Community Foundation worked tirelessly to promote the project. Signs were displayed all over the district, a mailing was sent to registered voters, and phone calls and personal visits were made in an effort to see the new elementary school become a reality. In addition, the proposal receive coverage from local media outlets such as the Springfield News-Leader, KY3, and more.
It was 1957 when the Miller R-2 School district last built a new building. All three of the current facilities have undergone various upgrades and improvements over the years. However, a review of the district's buildings by a facilities committee made up of volunteers from the community found many serious problems that needed to be addressed right away. These findings led the committee to recommend to the R-2 School Board that the district pursue building a new elementary school.
Although a new high school was considered for the district, the estimated costs for a high school project exceeded the district's funding capacity. Furthermore, building a new high school would have still left the district with three aging buildings to maintain. The district estimates that upon construction of the new elementary at least $100,000 in yearly maintenance and other expenditures will be saved that were costs associated with the aging elementary schools. These savings are dollars that will provide even better educational opportunities for the children of Miller R-2.
