The Mid-Prairie School District is holding two public meetings this week to address any questions residents may have before next week’s bond referendum special election.

Voters are being asked if the district should issue $26.3 million in general obligation bonds for several building projects and for the Debt Service Levy rate to be raised from $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed value to $4.05. Superintendent Mark Schneider emphasizes that the Debt Service Levy Rate is anticipated to increase to $3.30 and not go to the highest new rate. Both questions would need to pass with a 60% majority to move forward with construction. Schneider explains that the total cost for all the projects is $37.6 million and if the bond referendum doesn’t pass, they will not be able to move forward with their plans, “So the difference between the 37.6 and the 26.3 is really made up of sales tax and donations. And so the board right now is taking an approach that either the bond referendum passes, then we’ll do it or if the bond referendum doesn’t pass then nothing happens. So it’s kind of an all or nothing proposition right now.”

The proposed plans include the construction of new classrooms throughout the district, an auditorium at the high school, a new middle school gymnasium, parking lot improvements at East and West Elementary and the high school among other projects. Residents can vote via absentee ballot in person at the Washington County Auditor’s Office at the county courthouse until 5 p.m. Monday, February 28th. Election day is Tuesday, March 1st from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Residents are welcome to attend the public meetings happening Monday at 7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. To access the bond referendum website, visit here.