ON THE BALLOT
On Tuesday, April 6, voters of the Trenton R-IV School District will be asked to vote on a
$3.5 million NO TAX INCREASE Bond Issue to fund safety and facility improvements at our
schools.
During the 2022-2023 school year a Buildings and Grounds Committee was formed to advise the District on the needs of each school. Feedback from teachers, staff and community members was used to develop a list of needs and renovations believed necessary in order to continue to provide safe and positive learning environments for our students and staff.
After reviewing the prioritized list of needs developed by the committee, the school board voted to place the No Tax Increase Bond Issue on the April 2 ballot.
If the ballot initiative is approved, the District’s debt service property tax levy is estimated to
remain unchanged at $0.90 per $100 dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
Tier 1
- Roofing: Trenton Middle School roofing has deteriorated,
resulting in water damage; it is more than two decades old. - HVAC System: HVAC system has exceeded its operational
lifespan and is expensive to operate - Building Automation Controls: BAS controls are outdated
and no longer functioning correctly - Phone Safety System: System is outdated and cannot receive
updates or repairs, compromising its ability to ensure security in critical situations.
Tier 2
- Enhancing Safety: New doors, locking systems, and bullet resistant glass
- Enhancing Safety and Structural Integrity of CF Russell Stadium
Tier 3
- Ceiling replacement at THS
- LED lighting upgrades
- Locker replacement
- Parking Lot resurface
Ballot Question
Shall Trenton R-IX School District issue its general obligation
bonds in the amount of $3,500,000, resulting in no estimated
increase to the District’s debt service property tax levy, for
the purpose of constructing, improving, repairing, renovating,
furnishing and equipping school facilities, including replacing
and improving HVAC systems and building automation controls,
roof replacement and repairs at Trenton Middle School,
installation of a new District wide telecommunication system,
and other capital improvements throughout the District?
If this question is approved, the District’s debt service property
tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.90 per $100
dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property
FAQ
What is a Bond Issue?
A bond issue is a traditional way for schools
to borrow money to pay for major school
maintenance and repair projects, such as
adding security measures or upgrading
deteriorating areas.
Will the bond issue raise my taxes?
No. This is a NO TAX INCREASE bond
issue, meaning voter approval will not
increase the District’s current debt
service tax levy, which is dedicated to the
repayment of bonds.
Where does the money come from to
pay for the bonds?
The District sells the bonds and then pays
back the debt with money generated by
the debt service tax levy. This process is
similar to a home mortgage or loan.
How can we do this without increasing
taxes?
Each year the District retires or pays
off old debt from previous bond issues.
As this debt is paid off, the existing levy
can continue and the funds can be used
to pay for bonds that are sold for new
improvement projects.
Why aren’t these expenses included in
our operating budget?
Operating funds are used to support
salaries and beneϐits, transportation costs,
utilities, textbooks and other supplies.
Operating funds are used for maintenance
and upkeep; however, there is very little
left for facility upgrades.
Can the funds be used in any other way?
No. The money from bond issues can only
be used for capital expenditures, such as
building additions, repair, renovation and
certain technology costs.
If the bond issue passes, when would
the work be done?
The majority of the work would be
completed during the 2024 summer break,
as to not disrupt regularly-scheduled
classes.