SPS board sends $220M bond issue to April 2023 ballot

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education gave the go-ahead to place a $220 million bond issue on the April 2023 ballot.

Board members voted unanimously on the measure at yesterday's meeting, which was livestreamed on YouTube.

"This is an important milestone," board member Kelly Byrne said prior to the vote.

John Mulford, deputy superintendent of operations, during the meeting said the ballot language had been tweaked slightly from the board's previous meeting on the subject on Nov. 29. A provision on storm shelters to be installed at six elementary schools was separated from a sentence about safety and security upgrades to improve clarity.

The Proposition S ballot proposal, approved by the board, reads as follows:

The task force recommended funding new buildings for Pipkin Middle School and Robberson Community School, renovations for Pershing K-8, as well as safety and security projects. A new Reed Middle School also was recommended, if funding allows.