Raymore-Peculiar School District aims to land $72M bond up for vote on April ballot

The Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District will ask voters to borrow $72 million for construction of a new freshman center, which eventually would be expanded to a second high school.

If passed, Proposition S also wound fund a new performing arts center, HVAC upgrades, playground renovations, infrastructure and technology upgrades, and buying land and buildings to accommodate the district’s growth.

It would not require a tax-levy hike because the district already has the debt capacity to issue the bonds.

The new freshman center would be constructed on land Ray-Pec Schools owns adjacent to Ray-Pec East Middle School. It also would include stadium changes, tennis courts and additional practice fields.

The expectation is that a new high school will be needed within five to 10 years because of rapid growth in the district.

The Raymore-Peculiar School Board approved the purchase of a former grocery store and Orscheln Farm and Home building at Missouri 58 and Foxridge Drive last month.

The 41,000-square foot building will be converted into a technical school that focuses on STEM and career-oriented trade education.

The new performing arts center would be built at Ray-Pec High School, unless the district alters the current plan.

Voters in the Grandview C-4 School District will be asked to decide two tax measures, one of which would raise property taxes for homeowners.

The first would raise the district’s tax levy 60 cents per $100 of assessed value “for the purpose of attracting and retaining quality certified and support staff and meeting additional operating expenses.”