Both the Hickman Mills and Center school districts are asking voters to approve no-tax-increase bond and levee issues April 7.
A team of LINC staff who work at LINC Caring Communities sites based in both districts’ schools have been doing some groundwork, helping alert residents of the approaching Election Day by canvassing neighborhoods and placing street signs.
Here are the issues on the ballot:
Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a $20 million bond and a 30-cent tax levy transfer, both of which would extend and maintain the existing tax rate and not increase the cost to residents.
More than half of the funds from the bond issue would be used to pay off debt from past building projects, allowing the district to add $1.4 million a year to its operating budget. The remaining dollars would go toward repairs and improvements.
By shifting 30 cents of the district’s debt service levy to its operating levy, Hickman Mills would be able to add $2 million each year to its operating budget to support daily costs like paying teachers, operating buses and running its food service.
Learn more: hickmanmills.org/board/bond-2026
Center School District is asking voters to approve a $29 million bond and 17-cent tax levy transfer, which, like Hickman Mills, will extend current bonds and not raise the tax rate.
The bond issue would help the district make facility improvements and enhance classrooms and schools. The levy transfer would shift a portion of tax from the debt service levy to the operating levy and allow Center to spend more money on day to day operations like teacher salaries, teacher benefits, classified staff, classroom supplies, and utilities.
Projects that would be supported by the bond issue include classroom renovations, playground updates, outdoor area updates, kitchen renovations, asphalt and sidewalk repairs, and roof repairs. The middle school would see track and field updates and locker room renovations. The high school would get a track retaining wall, elevator, football turf and baseball field renovations.
Learn more: center.k12.mo.us/o/csd/page/bond-2026
