School Leaders Ask Voters To Approve Bond Proposal For Stigler Elementary School

School leaders in Stigler are asking voters to approve a bond proposal for a new elementary school and ag building, something the district's been trying to get done for nearly two decades.

Principal Melanie Garmin said there are many issues with the Stigler Grade School building. She said that's no surprise for a school that was built in 1940.

"Maintenance has worked to repair, they have done a fabulous job of coming over any time we need them, but ya know there's only so much you can do an 83-year-old building," said Garmin.

"I mean it rains, it will be running," said 1st Grade Teacher Summer McQuire as she points to a leaky bathroom roof.

She said her classroom often leaks in the rain, and flooding issues outside her door make it hard to get to the main building.

Superintendent David Morgan said a brand new elementary school is the answer to these problems, by way of a $24 million bond.

He said the money would also be used to build a new ag building, but residents voted down the last four bond issues for similar improvements.

"That bond proposal failed and has failed numerous times since that 2004 date in various forms ... it's an enigma to me," said Morgan.

The district said if passed, it'll raise the average homeowner's monthly property taxes by about $15.

"Any numbers that we put out to the public have been vetted and are accurate," Morgan said.

Morgan said the investment far outweighs the cost.

"As we walk through those halls a few minutes ago. Any time I walk through the halls of any of our sites tells me it's worth it,” he said.