School Bond Issue in April in Joplin

Joplin residents will vote April 3rd on a $62 million bond issue to rebuild schools destroyed by last May’s tornado. If it passes, the money would also pay for storm shelters for the district and renovate undamaged elementary schools. If it’s approved, the debt service levy would increase by 35 cents, to $3.66 per $100 assessed valuation. The district will receive about $85.9 million in insurance for the destroyed schools, not including the buildings’ contents, which is a separate insurance claim.