- Wentzville School District
- Prop L
Prop L
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On April 8, 2025, WSD residents will vote on a $135M zero-rate-change bond initiative to support the District's facility needs. This bond package will not raise the school tax rate, which is currently the lowest it's been in more than a decade.

What it Covers
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Safety & Security
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The District will use Prop L funds to further enhance safety and security in our facilities.
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Possible items may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Final SafeDefend phase (boxes in all classrooms)
- Upgraded surveillance cameras
- Additional window safety film
- Intercoms (Duello, Timberland, and others as needed)
- Upgraded fire panels and devices (Boone Trail, Duello, Heritage, Holt, Timberland, Liberty, Wentzville Middle, and others as needed)
- Security Guard Houses (Holt, Liberty, North Point, Timberland)
- Cell Repeaters (Duello, Frontier, Liberty, Admin Center)
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As promised, the District used Props C and S funds to create a more secure school environment. In three phases, the WSD Safety and Security Committee voted to implement enhanced secure school access through Raptor, added ID/fob entry, approved the purchase of window safety film on all first-level windows, and approved the purchase of SafeDefend boxes in school classrooms.
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Prop L would enhance safety and security measures at all WSD schools.
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Legacy Buildings
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With the District’s focus on growth and building many new schools over the past few decades, the WSD hasn't been able to prioritize its legacy buildings like Heritage Elementary, Boone Trail Elementary, Wentzville Middle School, and Holt High School. These legacy schools require some attention to meet the District's facility standards.
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This bond would enable the District to make the following improvements in our legacy buildings:
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Heritage Elementary - A major renovation will transform the school, improving building function and safety with a new, full-size gymnasium doubling as a storm shelter large enough for the entire school. The oldest wing of the building will be demolished, and a new addition will be added in a more centralized location with ADA improvements implemented. Traffic flow will be improved with centralized parking, a new bus lane, and redesigned traffic patterns. The entire school will receive a refresh with new lighting, ceiling tiles, paint, flooring, doors, and an upgraded intercom system, along with renovations to the administrative and nurses' offices and a modernized library. Finally, students will enjoy a brand-new playground.
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Holt High School - Interior improvements will include new lighting, ceiling grids and tiles, fresh paint, updated flooring, new doors, and a modern intercom system. Structural maintenance will be addressed through tuckpointing, while the removal of outdated lockers will create more usable space for students. The gymnasium glass blocks will be updated, and the auditorium will receive upgrades. Finally, the school's athletic facilities will be significantly improved for student-athletes, with a turf replacement football field and a track enhanced with additional lanes to ensure MSHSAA competition compliance.
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Wentzville Middle School - Undergo substantial renovations to enhance the learning environment and infrastructure. Interior upgrades include new lighting, ceiling grids and tiles, fresh paint, updated flooring, and new doors. Address tuckpointing and replace cabinetry. Upgrades to the building envelope will enhance energy efficiency and weather protection. Finally, the nurse's office will be relocated to a more centralized location to provide a more functional space for health services.
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Boone Trail & Green Tree elementary schools - Both elementary schools will receive front office renovations focused on creating a more welcoming and functional environment. The spaces will be redesigned to provide an improved entry experience for families. Boone Trail’s nurse's office will also be modernized to better serve student health needs.
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Improvements may include, and are not limited to the items listed above.
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Other Construction Projects
Included in Prop L is resurfacing all elementary school playgrounds to improve accessibility and replacing turf at Holt, Liberty, and Timberland high schools. Liberty and Timberland will also get new lighting on the turf fields.
Assuming top priority projects come in favorable to the estimated budget, items included but not limited to the following list may be considered to be addressed with bond funds.
- Auditorium Upgrades
- South Middle Traffic Patterns
- Aging Buried Infrastructure
- HVAC & Roofing Beyond Five-Year Replacement Budget
- Site lighting improvements
- Holt Main Entrance
- Crossroads Main Canopy
- Harris Centralized Warehouse
- Districtwide Energy Conservation
- LED Signage-High School Campuses
- Admin Center Addition for Boardroom
- Storm Shelters
- Land Purchase
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Why now?
Over the past several years, the District has evaluated facility needs by assessing its facilities, conducting a demographic study, considering the impact of future residential developments, meeting with municipalities, reconvening the construction committee, and seeking community input.
For continued academic success for all WSD students, the District requires an equitable learning environment and sufficient and safe facilities.Past Bond Execution
As promised, the WSD completed the following projects on time and under budget using bond funds. Here is a list of bond information from the District's 10 most recent major projects:
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Ballot Language
Shall the Board of Education of the Wentzville R-IV School District, St. Charles, County, Missouri, borrow money in the amount of $135,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, repairing, expanding, improving, furnishing and equipping school district sites, buildings and related facilities, including, but not limited to (1) expanding and renovating existing elementary, middle and high schools (2) enhancing school safety and security, (3) energy conservation measures and (4) maintenance of school facilities, and issue general obligation bonds for the payment thereof resulting in an estimated increase to the debt service property tax levy of zero cents ($0.00) per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation? If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the District is estimated to remain unchanged from the current debt service levy of 93.04 cents ($0.9304) per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
Voting Information
Proposition L will require 57.14% to pass. The deadline to register to vote is March 12, 2025, for the April 8, 2025, election.
Cost Estimates
FAQs
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What does it mean if Prop L passes?
The District could address the facility needs listed above to keep WSD buildings up to date and in good condition, protecting our future legacy and the community's investment in those facilities. The tax rate would remain the same; it would not increase or decrease, whether the bond passes or not.
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What happens if the bond issue doesn’t pass?
The District would not be able to address many of the facility needs identified above. The District may find ourselves having to pay more down the road to address the identified priorities and react to future needs. The tax rate would remain the same; it would not increase or decrease, whether the bond passes or not. We would pay off existing bonds on their current schedule.
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What is a zero-rate-change bond?
Zero-rate-change bonds allow school districts to borrow money for projects without increasing the current tax rate. This is possible because existing debt is being paid off, creating room for new debt within the current tax levy.
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Will passing Prop L increase my tax rate?
No. The tax rate would remain the same; it would not increase or decrease, whether the bond passes or not.
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What is the District's current tax rate?
The District's tax rate is the lowest it has been in more than a decade at $4.6532.
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How did the District use bond funds from previous initiatives?
Mostly recently, Prop C funded critical improvements, including the construction of North Point Middle School, additions to South and Frontier middle schools (allowing the return of sixth graders from elementary to middle school buildings), and a refreshed cafeteria at Wentzville Middle. Responsible budgeting allowed the District to complete these projects and build a new REACH and Early Childhood Center with the remaining funds.
Prop C also contributed to funding Phase I of district-wide safety and security upgrades, including the additions of the Raptor check-in system, keyless building entry for staff, window safety film, and SafeDefend threat prevention devices.
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Why is the District not using this Bond to address staff salaries?
Bond funds, like those from Prop L, can only be used for major construction and renovation projects (capital improvements). They cannot be used for ongoing operating expenses like staff salaries. To address staff salaries, the district would need to pursue an operating tax levy, which is a separate funding mechanism.
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Will Prop L extend the amount of time that the District is paying on its bonds?
Yes, the current bonds issued by WSD are projected to be paid off in 2040. The projections for Prop L extend the pay-off date until 2046.
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How will this bond impact those who might benefit from the Senior Tax Freeze?
The Senior Tax Freeze in St. Charles County does not apply to the debt service portion of school taxes, which is what this bond (Prop L) affects. Therefore, Prop L will not change the amount seniors pay for this portion of their taxes. Their taxes could still increase if their property value is reassessed, but that would happen regardless of whether Prop L passes.
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Still have questions? Join us for an open-house-style community engagement event from 5-7 p.m. on April 2, 2025, in the Holt High School commons area.
Informational materials regarding Prop L including website, web imagery, and social media content are paid for by
Wentzville R-IV School District;
Brian Bishop, Superintendent;
280 Interstate Drive, Wentzville, Missouri 63385.