A question will return to the ballot for voters to consider in the Prairie Central school district this spring.
Members of the Prairie Central Board of Education approved a resolution during Tuesday’s special meeting in Fairbury, which includes a proposition of issuing $38 million in school building bonds to the voters of the district in Livingston, McLean and Ford counties. This amount was adjusted from the previous $45 million which was on the fall ballot.
Board members had asked Superintendent Paula Crane to explore simplifying the language and she consulted with the bond attorney.
“Unfortunately, there are just too many rules on how it needs to be written,” Crane explained Tuesday evening.
While they can’t include bullet points in a ballot question, they were able to add semi-colons. Of a few different options presented, Crane and the board seemed to like the following wording:
“Shall the Board of Education of Prairie Central Community Unit School District Number 8, Livingston, McLean and Ford Counties, Illinois, build and equip an elementary school building; alter, repair and equip the Prairie Central High School, Junior High School and Upper Elementary School Buildings; improve sites; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $38,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
“Anything that is in the language has to be done,” advised Crane.
At the start of Tuesday’s meeting, two members of the public chose to speak.
Alissa Fosdick appeared on behalf of the Vote Yes committee, requesting more legwork and assistance from the administration, noting the group has great ideas.
Joe Moreland encouraged the board to think about the kids and reminded everyone that Chatsworth and Chenoa are part of the district and that the question was voted down in the fall. Moreland said something needs to be done with the schools.
The Consolidated Election is April 1.
