South Bend School District is asking voters to approve a $4.95 million bond in order to fund a replacement for the Chauncey Davis Elementary School. With the bond, and more than $11 million state funding provided in January’s state capital budget, it would fully fund the $16 million project.

Chauncey Davis Elementary is a 70-year-old building, and in spring 2017 a state survey found it had “major deficiencies in almost all areas,” superintendent Jon Tienhaara said in The Pacific County Press.

The bond would add an additional $1.81 per $1,000 in assessed property values. Beginning in January 2019, the district’s already-existing levy rate will drop from $3.75 to $1.50 per $1,000 in assessed value, due to a state requirement to cap levy amounts. When adding the bond amount, it would come out to $3.31 per $1,000, $1.44 less than the current school tax rate for district residents.

The construction would take place behind the current elementary school, and would not require students to use temporary portable classrooms. Ballots were mailed out on April 6, and must be returned marked by April 24. If anyone has questions they can read more about the new school at bit.ly/newsouthbendelementary.