Frequently Asked Questions

➢ Will Jennings School District have a measure on the August 6, 2024, ballot?

Yes. On January 8, 2024, the Board of Education voted unanimously to place the District’s Proposition J, a $9 million ZERO TAX RATE INCREASE bond issue, on the August 6, 2024 election ballot.

➢  What exactly is a bond issue?

A BOND ISSUE is used to generate funds for maintaining or improving district facilities, or for equipment/technology. Bond issue funds cannot be used for operating purposes.

➢ Why is JSD submitting a bond issue to voters now?

The last bond issue was passed in 2016 and, since then, the list of needs has grown considerably.  In 2024, the District is seeking funding for what we have deemed “priority projects,” including safety upgrades, repairs and renovations districtwide. Our older buildings require regular maintenance and much of that work has been on hold. Prop J, if approved, would provide improvements in the areas of Academics, Safety, Facilities (buildings and grounds), Athletics and Technology.

➢ What is meant by a ZERO Tax Rate Increase Bond Issue?

A ZERO TAX RATE INCREASE (or, NO tax rate increase) bond issue means that tax rates will NOT increase. If approved by voters, PROP J would generate an estimated $9 million to be used for renovations and repairs in all District schools and facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

➢ What should I look for on the August 6 ballot?

Proposition J requests approval for a $9 million no tax rate increase bond issue for the purposes of repairs and renovations in schools and facilities district-wide. If approved, it is estimated that the tax rate will remain unchanged. However, it will look a bit different on the ballot.

The official ballot language is as follows:

Proposition J – Shall the Jennings School District, St. Louis County, Missouri borrow Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) for the purpose of constructing, renovating, improving, furnishing and equipping school sites, buildings and related facilities for school purposes, including but not limited to making facilities and safety improvements District-wide, and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service level of the school district is estimated to remain unchanged at $0.99 per one hundred dollars assessed valuation of real and personal property.

JSD’s Prop J requires a 57.14% majority vote for passage.

➢ How will Prop J bond issue funds be used?

Prop J bond issue funds will be used only for the purposes stated in the bond issue, i.e., repairing, upgrading and improving aging facilities, renovating classrooms andinterior spaces and remodeling areas and systems worn with use.

 All schools are included in the capital improvement schedule for Prop J. Also included are contingency fees, general contracting fees and funds to cover inflation over the construction period.

Frequently Asked Questions

➢ What types of projects are being planned?

The District has carefully curated the project list based on community and school feedback in addition to a series of facilities studies. 

The project list prioritizes needs in Academics, Safety, Infrastructure (buildings and grounds), Athletics and Technology.

This chart below shows targeted projects that are tentatively part of the plan (this list may change as we work through changes in the supplies and services over time)

This does not cover every need, but it does tackle the most pressing projects at this time. Additional details are available upon request. Again, this is a tentative list of projects. The scope of projects listed could change based on the situations we face in construction at time of approval.

➢  What percentage of votes is needed to pass the bond issue?

Prop J requires a four-sevenths (or 57.14%) “YES” vote in order to pass on August 6, 2024.

TENTATIVE PROJECT LIST

Thank you for your review of our tentative project list. Every school will be impacted by Prop J funds if approved.

If you have any additional questions, please call your school principal or email district office staff at propj@jenningsk12.org.

More information, including news of election procedures, can be found on our Prop J. website, jenningsk12.org.propj.

Election Day

August 6, 2024

The Jennings School District

School District Mission

The mission of the Jennings School District is to ensure that each student develops a passion for learning through challenging curricula; rigorous academic standards; innovative, stimulating educational environments; and a passion that education is a lifelong pursuit.

2023-24
District Statistics

The District is fully accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Total District Enrollment (as of September 30, 2023) –2,300 K-12, students

THANK YOU

for your interest in the Jennings School District!

JSD BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Mrs. Miranda Jones, President

Ms. Tammy Dailey, Vice President

Mr. Harold Austin, Treasurer

Ms. Yonnee Fortson, Secretary

Ms. Yolonda Fountain-Henderson, Director

Mr. Gary Johnson, Director

Ms. Margie Jones, Director

ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Paula D. Knight, Superintendent

Mrs. Regina Hawthorne, Director of Human Resources

Dr. Charmyn Andrews, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

Mr. Joe Key, Director of Technology

Dr. Leon Hite, Director of Safety & Security

Ms. Victoria Glaspy, Chief Financial Officer

PRINCIPALS:

Dr. Shaire Duncan, Fairview Elementary

Dr. Curtese Howard-Holmes, Rose Mary Johnson Jennings Jr. High

Dr. DeShonda Payton, Northview Elementary

Dr. Marsha Wallace, Kenneth C. Hanrahan Elementary

Ms. Ann Shaw, Woodland Elementary

Dr. Cryslynn C. Billingsley, Jennings Senior High and College Prep Academy

Ms. Stephanie Grice, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent 314-653-800o