The Clinton Board of Education has approved a referendum to issue bonds for the new elementary building on the March ballot.

The Clinton Board of Education Tuesday evening approved moving forward with the referendum to issue bonds in the amount $16.7 million. Superintendent of Clinton Schools Dr. Jeff Holmes explains the question on the referendum includes not only issuing the bonds, but also bringing down the other elementary buildings, and making necessary improvements to the high school facility.

[audio:schoolreferendum1.mp3]A Word From Dr. Holmes[/audio]

The bonds the district will be issuing could be paid off in a maximum of 19-years, however, Dr. Holmes says with the value of the Clinton school district property rising like it has in the past, the time it takes to pay the bonds off will decrease. He points to the Clinton Jr. High School building, which he stresses has been paid off for nearly four years now.

[audio:schoolreferendum2.mp3]A Word From Dr. Holmes[/audio]

Dr. Holmes feels this new facility is about maximizing the students of the districts education. He connects the districts drive to continue it's technological push and having a building that can make that possible.

[audio:schoolreferendum3.mp3]A Word From Dr. Holmes[/audio]

Dr. Holmes continues to stress through this process, the bonds they are proposing to issue will not raise the tax rate of those property owners in the school district.

The Board of Education has assembled a referendum campaign team to reach out to the community to raise awareness about the bonds being issued. Regional Radio News will have more on the campaign team tomorrow.