Carlisle Schools one step closer to $49 million bond issue

Carlisle Schools took the first step of two in placing a nearly $49 million bond issue on the May 2 ballot to construct a new K-12 building.

The Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved the resolution of necessity, which has been forwarded to the Warren County Auditor’s Office to certify the millage.

After that, the board will take the final step of approving the resolution. It has scheduled a special meeting for 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the board offices.

After the second resolution is approved Thursday, the bond issue will be sent to the Warren County Board of Election to place it on the May 2 ballot.

Superintendent Larry Hook said the estimated cost of the project is $48,927,607 and that the state would cover nearly $28. 7 million. He said the local share would be just more than $20.2 million or 41 percent of the costs. He said the preliminary millage estimate is about 6 mills. The district tried unsuccessfully to pass a bond issue for a new facility about five years ago.

“We can’t go a dollar or a dime over,” Hook said. “The state is paying 60 cents of every dollar on this project.”

Hook said the new K-12 building would have wings to separate the grade levels and would replace the four buildings currently in use. Hook said the project would include a 500-seat auditorium and would also include furnishings, landscaping, widening Jamaica Road to three lanes and other upgrades, and demolition of the current buildings.

He said there is a group of citizens that will be very involved in the levy campaign. Hook has previously said there would be community meetings and forums to discuss the project and to get community feedback.

“This is a great opportunity to make significant steps to move forward,” Hook said.

About the Author