Branson chamber endorses $43M bond issue

At its latest meeting March 23, the board of directors of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce voted to endorse an April 5 bond issue for Branson Public Schools.

The proposed bond would issue $42.9 million to: fund a new elementary school;

• a ninth grade center;
• a high school activity center and;
• the purchase of an existing building to use for administrative offices, which would free up space for classrooms.

“This will continue Branson’s tradition of providing first-class facilities for our students,” Chamber President Ross Summers said in a news release.

Bonds would be sold to pay for the projects, leaving the tax rate unaffected. The release said that since the last bond issue was approved for Branson school facilities in 2005, student enrollment has increased to 4,557, from 3,615.

The bond proposal will be on the general municipal election ballot April 5. If approved, the plan is expected to be fully implemented by the 2013-14 school year.[[In-content Ad]]