What should we expect next?
Voters say "yes" to the $53.6 million bond issue
August 31, 2009
Community supports school facilities and academic reforms by passing $53.6 million zero-tax-rate increase bond issue
Voters who reside in the School District of University City said "yes" to the April 7 Proposition U, a $53.6 million zero tax-rate-increase bond measure. The initiative, which was on the April 7 ballot, received 67 percent or 3,177 “yes” votes to pass. The measure only needed 57 percent majority of the vote to pass.
Funds from Proposition U will finance the construction of two new schools – Barbara Jordan and Pershing Elementary on their existing sites, and pay for renovations at Jackson Park and Flynn Park Elementary Schools as well as Brittany Woods Middle School and University City High School.
The decision to place Proposition U on the April ballot was based upon recommendations that were made during the district’s recent community engagement process known as Destination U. City Schools.
What should we expect next and when?
Some renovation and demolition of buildings in the School District of University City are scheduled for this summer.
In July 2009, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School will be cleared of all usable furnishings and materials including the kindergarten playground. The school will be temporarily moved to the west wing of the McNair Administration Building. Demolition and site construction will begin soon after the building is vacant. Barbara C. Jordan students enrolling or re-enrolling for the 2009-2010 school year may do so over the summer in the Pupil Personnel Office, located at 8136 Groby Road. Various administrative offices, the Lieberman Learning Center and University City Adult Education and Literacy program will be relocated to accommodate the elementary school.
Work will begin on Pershing Elementary School soon after the new Barbara C. Jordan building is completed.
Construction renovations and additions will begin this summer at Brittany Woods Middle School and University City High School (UCHS).
“The safety of students and staff is our first priority when we begin these construction projects,” said Karl Scheidt, director of operations. “While some work will be done while classes are in session, students will not be put in harm’s way.”
Jackson Park and Flynn Park Elementary Schools will see construction renovations and additions begin in 2010.
The sixth grade will be located at the middle school in a designated area specifically designed to suit their needs beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.
The District will host a neighborhood meeting and open house on Thursday, July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the McNair Building, located at 8136 Groby Road, so that the architects can share construction plans and logistics with local residents.
Barbara C. Jordan parents are invited to a meeting regarding their school construction on August 13, same time and place.
More details of the work projects will also be available on the District website at www.ucityschools.org and a billboard with each school’s progress will be posted on the individual school’s grounds.
For more information about construction projects, contact Karl Scheidt at 314/290-4004 or kscheidt@u-city.k12.mo.us.
