Twin Rivers board hears presentation regarding bond issue

BROSELEY — A proposed bond issue and the projects it would fund were a major focus at Tuesday’s Twin Rivers R-X School Board meeting.

The Twin Rivers R-X School Board listened to a presentation Tuesday night by Veregy, a nationwide general contractor based in Chesterfield.

“We are very committed to partnering closely with every school we work with,” company representative Dr. Mitch Wood informed the board. “We have 65 engineers and two project managers; and we’re capable of doing a lot of things in-house.”

The presentation detailed the different projects that would be undertaken, including various renovations at the middle school campus in Fisk and the construction of a new junior high school wing at the high school campus in Broseley.

“This is essentially phase two, right now,” Wood explained. “Phase one was coming to do the initial assessment when Dr. Brown showed us everything that needs to be done. And we are confident that our assessment is what it needs to be to move forward with accomplishing everything.”

The proposed work being done is all contingent upon the passage of a proposed bond issue. Voters will make their determination on the matter during the election on Tuesday, April 8.

“Twin Rivers R-X has one of the lowest tax rates of surrounding school districts,” Superintendent Rob Brown said in a press release. “The passage of this bond would result in an estimated increase of $0.8000 per $100 of assessed property valuation. Even with the proposed increase, Twin Rivers R-X tax rate of $3.7976 would be lower than the average tax rate among neighboring districts — a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

Wood assured the board that if the bond issue doesn’t pass, there won’t be any complications.

“If the bond doesn’t pass, there will be no cost to the district for what we’ve already done,” Wood said. “We’re helping with development of the project, marketing, and election process materials.”

Wood pointed out Veregy likes to work with as many local contractors as possible.

“We like local involvement, and we like to give local contractors all the opportunity we can,” Wood said. “And when this project starts going, the project manager will be here, boots on the ground. He won’t come and go and leave you wondering where to find him.”

In other board news, Brown gave a brief update on legislative activity in Jefferson City.

“There are a couple of bills in the house and the senate that are getting some traction: HB 711 and SB 215,” Brown explained. “I believe at least one of these bills is going to get a vote. SB 215 is the most problematic because, basically, under it a child could decide they want to attend Dexter School or Poplar Bluff and we would have to pay for that transportation cost while the other school district doesn’t pay anything.”

Brown projected serious difficulties if the bill were to become law and several students in the district decided to attend somewhere else.

“I’ll keep you all posted as things continue to develop with either of the bills,” Brown said.

The board voted to set the next meeting for Thursday, March 20 at 6 p.m.