Strafford district places $16M bond issue on April ballot 

Upgrades to athletic and activity spaces used by students and the community are the cornerstone of a $16 million bond issue requested by the Strafford R-VI School District.

The April 7 ballot measure referred to as Proposition KIDS also includes funds to improve classrooms, the agriculture program, traffic flow and parking, accessibility and campus safety.

The 1,400-student district in northeast Greene County wants to overhaul the Max Evans Gymnasium and Indian Plaza athletic areas, retool the entrance to the auditorium and add an elementary playground.

If approved, the tax levy rate will not change, but the district will be allowed to take on more debt.

Superintendent Mark Hedger said the bond issue represents the next step in the stakeholder-driven master plan for the district.

“We think this is what is best for kids in our community, and we are excited for where our district is and where we are headed,” he said

Hedger said work planned for the historic gym, adjacent plaza and nearby auditorium – all spaces heavily used by the community – will be the most visible part of the project.

The front of the gym will receive a facelift, more restrooms will be added and improved locker rooms and other spaces will benefit multiple sports.

“It’s multipurpose. There’s obviously going to be a little bit of sprucing up the way it looks, but more importantly, it’s going to make it much more functional,” he said.

The district wants to add a weight room, improved locker rooms and training space to the older gym.

“We also have added wrestling as a program in the last couple years. We want a room dedicated directly to that,” Hedger said. “We have one weight room currently, and it’s probably used about as much as any classroom or space that we have. Adding another one essentially is going to allow our high school principal some flexibility with scheduling.”

The district is working with Springfield-based Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective on the proposed projects.

As campus buildings have been added and updated on either side of McCabe Street, just south of Interstate 44, parking and traffic have become congested in spots.

“We’re kind of landlocked, so we’re hoping to create some more parking and improved traffic flow,” Hedger said.

The bond includes funds to enhance instruction space for agriculture, which is sharing space with maintenance staff.

“The long-term plan is to get maintenance out of there, which would expand that facility and provide more shop space and lab space,” he said.

The auditorium project involves expanding the lobby and ticket booth area. Later, the district wants to add classroom space.