Voters to consider bond issues for Crane and Reed Spring Schools ​

The school purchased 52 acres across Highway 413 from the Elementary School in July. School leaders hope to build a new track and field on the new land.

New career and technical center

Kadee Brosseau DeCourley

On April 5, voters in the Crane School District will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” on a proposed no-tax-increase bond issue. The money would allow the school district to build a new track and field and, eventually, softball and baseball fields.

The school purchased 52 acres across Highway 413 from the Elementary School in July of 2021 for $367,500.

“We had been watching the land, as a school, because we are almost land-locked here. If we wanted to do a sports complex or anything at all, we really don’t have that expansion room,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Johnson said.

When the land came up for sale, Dr. Johnson said three buyers were offering to pay full price, including the school. The previous owners of the land, who are Crane School graduates, sold the land to the district.
“The Ward brothers were very kind because they could have sent that into a bidding war and gotten more money, but they wanted for the school to have it,” Dr. Johnson said. “We did a lease purchase. So, the lease-purchase is a loan, a lease with very, very low interest. Then, we use capital funds to make payments on that.”

Dr. Johnson said ahead of the purchase, money was moved from the school’s operation fund, which allows the district to do things like pay teachers, into the capital fund, which is money the school can use for projects like this.

“State law only allows us to put so much of our operational fund into capital. We are very limited on that. So, we have to just say ‘Ok, are we able to legally have enough money in our capital funds to cover that payment along with anything else?’” Dr. Johnson explained. “We always make it a point, every year, to move money into capital. We try to build it up so that when we have those emergencies, it doesn’t drain us at that point in time. With a district this size, if you have a big expense come up that you weren’t planning for, it could be detrimental.”

Now that the school owns the land, some leaders there want to begin phase one of development, including a new eight-lane, lighted track facility with concessions, stands, restrooms, and parking.

“[It would] allow us to have districts and conference and meets. Right now, we can’t do any of that. Our kids practice at the bus loop. It will also allow the community [to have a track to use]. While we have a great walking trail, many of our elderly can’t walk on that because it is rock and it’s not stable or they can’t walk at night because it’s not well-lit. Where they would be able to use the [new track] facility to walk on,” Dr. Johnson said.
However, in order to do this project, the school needs voters’ permission through a no-tax-increase bond issue.

“We are going to the public and saying ‘Ok, we don’t want you to pay more on your taxes.’ That’s not what we are asking,” Dr. Johnson said. “We are just asking them to give us permission to take the equity and good financial standing we have and take that and use it on this.”

However, the idea of building the school’s athletics has not come without opposition. Some community members have criticized the school for putting too much continued emphasis on athletics, when it should be focused more on academics.

“Are we putting more emphasis on athletics versus academics? I want to address that because I am a strong academics person. The Board knew that when they hired me that my strength is curriculum and academics more so than anything else, if I had to pick my strengths. I am a firm believer in doing what’s best for our kids in academics. Do sports play a part in that? They do, because if you don’t get a hook in kids, whether that’s sports or FBLA or FFA or air rifle, or whatever it may be, you lose a lot of kids. So, track attracts a different type of kid than basketball or baseball,” Dr. Johnson explained. “It’s not a ‘this or that.’ [Athletics and academics] really work together. I think that’s important.”

Dr. Johnson said students who are not involved in athletics would use the facility for other school activities.

“P.E. That would be a great place for our P.E. kids to go and use also. Field day for our elementary kids,” Dr. Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson also explained that money to pay staff or build additional academic programs comes from a different funding source than the money for a new sports complex.

“It’s different funds. What we are asking the community to do to pass a bond issue has no effect on whether we can have teachers or no teachers. It does not affect it. They pass it, they don’t pass it. Either way, it’s not going to affect it. If they want additional teachers and smaller class sizes, then they’re going to have to be willing to pass a tax increase to pay for that,” Dr. Johnson said.

If the no-tax-increase bond issue passes, Dr. Johnson said the school would begin dirt work on the facility almost immediately after the election. If voters say “no” to the bond issue, Dr. Johnson said it would be a sign that the track is not something voters favor.

“If it doesn’t pass, we sit on the land,” Dr. Johnson said.

Ultimately it will be up to voters to give the school permission to build the track or not. Meanwhile, Dr. Johnson said the school would continue developing and growing good citizens for the future.

“Our whole goal isn’t to graduate our kids, even though we talk about that, our whole goal is to graduate our kids to be successful citizens and responsible citizens, just to be good, kind, productive people,” Dr. Johnson said.
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The last day to register to vote in the April 5 election is March 9.

Press Release RSHS

The Reeds Spring School District plans to build a new career and technical center, renovate and expand its early education building, and create a park and picnic area that will be open to the community. Funding for these projects would come from a no-tax-increase bond issue that will be on the April 5 ballot.

A no-tax-increase bond issue is a way for school districts to fund building projects. The district sells bonds to a purchaser who offers the lowest interest rate. The district uses the funds to complete the capital projects and pays back the debt over time.

The new career and technical center would be located next to Reeds Spring High School. This will allow students to walk to the building to take classes. The larger facility also provides an opportunity for additional programs to be added.

The renovated Primary School would provide additional classrooms. This means more students could be enrolled in early childhood programs. Research consistently shows that early education leads to better outcomes for students.

The park would provide a space for families that the community lacks. It will include a playground, picnic area, a grass field for youth sports, tennis courts, and a pickleball court.
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Anyone interested in learning more about these projects is encouraged to visit the district website, www.rs-wolves.com, and look for the Vision 2025 section.

Renovated Primary School

Community Park