The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday night authorized the sale of $62 million in bonds to help pay for the rebuilding of the schools destroyed in the 2011 tornado.
The board heard from Gregory Bricker, executive vice president at George K. Baum & Co., the underwriter on the district’s bonds. In April, voters passed the bond issue to go toward $185 million in rebuilding projects.
Bricker said the first bond sale will be conducted in the latter part of July.
The district will offer $35 million of the bonds in July and will release the remaining $27 million in the spring in time for payments on the new construction.
Paul Barr, the district’s chief financial officer, said that by selling the bonds in two segments, the district will save on interest.
Bricker said the district’s bond issue is one of the largest in the state this year, and his company will be working with local brokers to make up to 10 percent of the total bonds available for local investors. In the sale of $57 million in bonds for middle school construction projects in 2007, Bricker said, local investors accounted for about $2.5 million in purchases.
In an update on construction, a representative of Universal Construction, which is performing construction management for the rebuilding of the schools, told the board that the Irving Elementary and Joplin High School sites have tested negatively for lead contamination in the soil.
Dirt work at the East Middle School site may start today, and the bid packages for East Middle School will be brought before the board at its next meeting.
Dawn Sticklen, who was nominated by the board last week to fill a vacancy, was officially seated during the meeting. Sticklen is a freelance writer and co-owner of Sticklen and Crosthwait Law Firm. Her involvement in the Vote Hope campaign, which urged people to vote in favor of the $62 million bond issue in April, was a big factor in the board’s decision to nominate her, president Randy Steele said.
Superintendent C.J. Huff briefed the board on a recent trip to Washington, D.C., where he met with representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Swedish embassies. He also met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
The board also made appointments for the 2012-13 school year. Barr will continue as the board’s treasurer. Patricia Waldo will be the new board secretary, and Terry Grace will be the new records custodian. They will succeed Tiny Bridges, who has served in both of those roles. Bridges is retiring.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for July 24, with a work session at 5:30 p.m. and the regular session at 7 p.m. at the administration building, 3901 E. 32nd St.
Budget OK’d
THE JOPLIN SCHOOL BOARD on Tuesday night approved the district’s 2012-13 budget. It anticipates $155,809,548 in expenditures and projects revenues at $166,982,503.
Local News
Joplin school board authorizes sale of district bonds
- Local News
-
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
Jasper County commissioners said Friday they hope to be ready to make a decision Tuesday on a proposal to renovate a former bank building for use as a new headquarters for the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
-
Interfaith service explores different faiths
The interfaith service, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Joplin’s Landreth Park, will explore the theme of “Different Faiths — One Community.’’ The community service is held around the anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado, but organizers say the focus is not specifically on the tornado.
-
Duquesne mayor target of lawsuit from council member
Duquesne City Council member Lisa Daugherty recently filed a lawsuit against Mayor Denny White seeking unspecified damages for an investigation that he triggered just before White and Daugherty each ran for mayor.
-
Schifferdecker water park opening delayed week or two
Wet spring weather has delayed work on the Schifferdecker Aquatic Center, and it will not open over Memorial Day weekend, city officials said Friday. No date was given for the expected opening, but it could be delayed one to two weeks, according to Chris Cotten, Joplin parks and recreation director.
-
Foundation announces $10 million milestone
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas announced Friday that it has reached the once seemingly impossible amount of $10 million in cash assets. The foundation, which was created for charitable giving in 2001 with matching funds from Kansas Health Foundation, had $545,000 in assets by the end of its first year.
-
Hatred, resentment and retribution fueled bloody encounter at Rader’s Farm
Members of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment had been in Jasper County in large numbers on previous foraging missions. Coming from their outpost in modern-day Baxter Springs, Kan., the armed former slaves in Union uniforms had entered the property and homes of white residents to take their food or other useful supplies.
-
Ceremony to mark push for Civil War memorial
Organizers hope that today’s ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of a Civil War battle northwest of Joplin also will encourage support to finance a permanent memorial on the site.
-
Disaster response team to hold tornado memorial ride
A group of motorcycle enthusiasts who focus on disaster relief plan to hold a motorcycle ride through Joplin on the second anniversary of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
Miami plans annual surplus auction
The city of Miami’s annual surplus suction will be held beginning at 10 a.m. today at City Hall.
-
Pancake feed to benefit Scouts
Boy Scout Troop No. 904 will hold a pancake, biscuit and gravy breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Webb City Elks Lodge, 1010 N. Madison Ave.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County commission opens bids on renovating sheriff’s space
