Prop S (2021)
Thank you voters! Prop S passed!
Prop S: Safe Schools, Safe Kids
The Mehlville School District Board of Education voted unanimously at its Jan. 21, 2021, meeting to place a zero tax rate increase bond issue measure on the ballot on April 6, 2021. The community voted to approve the bond issue on April 2, 2021.
The bond issue, called Proposition S, is funding projects to improve student safety and accessibility and complete deferred maintenance without increasing the tax rate.
Prop S is funding security entrances at every school; improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities; heating, cooling and ventilation upgrades; restroom renovations and additions; parking lot improvements; roof replacements and other projects.
Prop S generated more than $35 million to complete these projects without raising the current tax rate. Voter approval allowed the district to transfer 12 cents of the existing tax rate to address facility needs at all schools within the Mehlville School District at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
What our community has told us
Beginning in January 2019, the Facility Steering Committee began work to identify necessary facilities needs at each of our campuses. The committee included community members, parents and staff representing each of our 19 schools. Together, the committee surveyed parents, students and staff and visited each school to see facility needs firsthand and to prioritize facility projects. The committee also heard reports about the known backlog of maintenance work on school roofs and HVAC systems. Through Facility Steering Committee feedback forms and surveys related to our strategic plan, safety emerged as the community’s top priority for its schools. In addition to safety, the Facility Steering Committee also heard that accessibility, restrooms and parking lots were a concern. The projects that are being funded by Prop S represent the most pressing facility needs as identified by the committee.
Prop S Progress
The project list for Prop S was originally created in 2020 based on the recommendations of the district's Facilities Steering Committee. In 2020, district estimates indicated that these projects could be completed for $32 million. The district asked voters for a bond issue in the amount of $35 million to provide a financial cushion for unexpected expenses and inflation.
Mehlville School District was able to sell $35 million in bonds at a premium, netting an additional $2.7 million. However, due to rapidly escalating construction costs and supply chain delays, $37.7 million was not enough to complete all of the Prop S projects. Projects that were eliminated or delayed are referenced below. Some of the delayed projects are being paid for using capital funds, as indicated with an asterisk.
Beasley Elementary School
|
Project |
Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| HVAC replacement | Completed |
| Restrooms | Delayed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
| Driveway and parking lot expansion | Delayed |
Bierbaum Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Additional classrooms, expanded library and storm shelter | Completed |
| ADA accessibility to classrooms near the office | Completed |
| Restroom renovations | Completed |
| Expanded front parking lot | Completed |
| Perimeter fencing | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Blades Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* |
In Progress |
Forder Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| HVAC replacement | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Hagemann Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| ADA access to playground | Completed |
| Additional parking lot entrance | Delayed |
MOSAIC Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Elevator | In Progress |
Oakville Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Expanded parking lot with more accessible parking | Completed |
Point Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| ADA accessibility to back door | Completed |
Rogers Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Parking lot and playground safety improvements | Completed |
| HVAC replacement | Completed |
Trautwein Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Roof replacement (82 squares) | Completed |
| Parking lot improvements | Delayed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Wohlwend Elementary School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Additional ADA accessible parking | Completed |
| ADA accessibility to art and music rooms | Delayed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Bernard Middle School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Buerkle Middle School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Roof replacement (463 squares) | Completed |
| Restroom additions and renovations* | In Progress |
| Accessibility to track | Delayed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Oakville Middle School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Washington Middle School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Renovate main entrance to improve accessibility | Completed |
| Roof replacement (365 squares) | Completed |
| Outdoor lighting* | In Progress |
Mehlville High School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Baseball and softball field safety upgrades | Completed |
| HVAC replacement | Completed |
| ADA accessibility to band room | Delayed |
| Parking lot and walkway improvements | Delayed |
| New restrooms at stadium* | Eliminated from Prop S project list as of June 2022 |
Oakville High School
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| Upgraded restrooms at stadium | Completed |
| Restroom renovations | Completed |
| Baseball and softball field safety upgrades | Completed |
| Roof replacement (662 squares) | Completed |
John Cary Early Childhood Center
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Security entrance | Completed |
| HVAC replacement | Completed |
Transportation
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| New transportation office and garage* | Eliminated from Prop S project list as of June 2022 |