Nonprofit advocacy group Minorities in Business has issued an open letter in opposition of a Springfield Public Schools bond proposition up for vote during the April 2 general election.
The nonprofit claims in recent years Springfield residents have funded more than $200 million in school district design and construction projects, none of which have been awarded to minority-owned businesses, according to a news release.
“MIB cares about Springfield’s children too much to remain silent,” said MIB President John Oke-Thomas, owner of architecture firm Oke-Thomas & Associates Inc., in the release. “Our public entities must demonstrate to our children that a diverse business community is a value for our entire community, and they must have contracting and procurement practices that support that value.”
The ballot issues - known as Proposition Classrooms for Kids - would allow SPS to issue $71.65 million in general obligation bonds, according to the
Greene County clerk's office.
If the bond initiative passes, the district would use the funding to construction new buildings and purchase land; improve, repair, renovate and acquire buildings; implement technology improvements; and furnish and equip school buildings, according to the ballot language.
If passed, the district's debt service tax levy of 51 cents per $100 of assessed valuation is estimated to remain unchanged.
According to the news release, an unspecified number of minority-owned construction firms in Springfield have closed due to lack of opportunities and design firms have been reduced by 75 percent. Neither MIB Executive Director Lyle Foster, owner of Big Momma’s Coffee & Espresso Bar, nor Oke-Thomas could be reached for comment by deadline.
Meanwhile, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind the Classrooms for Kids bond initiative.
On the election portion of its
website, the chamber points to the likelihood that the initiative would not increase cost to taxpayers; would upgrade network bandwidth and replace out-of-date computers at the district; and would allow for the construction of a new elementary school in southwest Springfield.
“Technology is our new ‘air-conditioning issue’ in terms of student and parental demand,” SPS Board of Education President Tom Prater said in a chamber news release. “Businesses need a workforce that is ready and that includes being tech-savvy.”
