VIENNA — Voters in the Maries R-1 School District boundaries will have an opportunity to vote on a school bond proposition when they go to the polls during the April 2, 2024, municipal election.

At the Dec. 19 Maries R-1 School Board meeting, the board approved a resolution to call for bond election next April. The measure, titled Proposition K.I.D.S., will ask voters to authorize a $2 million bond to help the district address capital improvement needs. L.J. Hart & Company will handle underwriting services. During the Oct. 24 board meeting, two representatives from the firm said the district’s bonding capacity has increased to about $7.9 million. Using that figure, they estimated $2 million as the maximum bond the district could pursue without an accompanying tax increase.

Improvement projects the bond is targeting include “safety and security measures district-wide including exterior doors and fire alarm systems; to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at the High School and Elementary gymnasium; to replace the boiler and remodel restrooms in the Elementary School.” The bond would also leave room for other renovations, repairs and improvements to existing district facilities as funding allowed.

If the bond passes, the district’s adjusted debt service levy is estimated to remain unchanged from its 44 cents ($0.4400) per $100 assessed valuation.

Two three-year terms on the board will also be on the April ballot if more than two candidates file. The terms of board members Dave Garro and Mike Kleffner will expire. Shortly before the 5 p.m. deadline on Dec. 26, only two candidates had filed for the election: Lori Hayes and Kevin Heavin.