Prop S

On June 2, 2020, 79.28% of voters approved a $244 million bond issue – the largest bond issue in Missouri history.

The approval of Proposition S allows the District to borrow money now and in the future to address pressing facility needs at Francis Howell schools - at no additional cost to residents.

The Need

The District has 29 separate facilities, including three early childhood centers, ten elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, an administration building, and seven other sites. Together, these sites include over 2.7 million square feet of building space under roof, with miles of plumbing and wiring and hundreds of mechanical systems. The average building in the District is 30 years old, and the oldest building is now more than 50 years old. Many systems, like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, are reaching the end of their useful life. In 2018, the District finalized a Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan (CFMP), which provided the blueprint for future Prop S work. The CFMP identified $300 million of deferred maintenance and capital improvements necessary to be made over the course of the next 20+ years. The cost estimates included in the CFMP reflect market conditions at that time (2018) and are pre-design and pre-bid.

Timeline

2018

Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan finalized

2019

FHSD Board of Education votes unanimously to place Proposition S on the April 7, 2020 ballot (election date later changed to June 2 due to the Covid-19 pandemic)
A group of volunteer parents, staff and community members form “Citizens for Francis Howell” to raise awareness of the District’s facility needs and lead the charge for the passage of Prop S

2020

Voters approve $244 million bond issue (June 2, 2020)
Track replaced at Hollenbeck Middle
Parking lot replaced at Warren Elementary
Portable classroom installed at Fairmount Elementary
SM Wilson selected as contractor on Francis Howell North High School construction project using Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) model

2021

Security vestibules installed at the majority of FHSD schools
District purchases facility located at 801 Corporate Centre Drive to be used for Francis Howell Union High School, District Learning Center and administrative offices
Renovations to Becky-David Elementary completed (new lights, flooring, paint, parking lot repairs and updates to electrical and HVAC systems)
Parking lot renovations completed at Francis Howell Central High School, Saeger Middle School and Bryan Middle School
Groundbreaking for the new Francis Howell North High School project is held (May 20, 2021)
Revised cost projections for the Francis Howell North High School construction project are presented to the Board of Education; after gathering community input, the Board approves the Guaranteed Maximum Price of $164,723,000 for Francis Howell North

2022

New playgrounds installed at Becky-David, Independence and John Weldon elementary schools
Francis Howell Union High School begins 2022-23 school year at new facility located at 801 Corporate Centre Drive
Value engineering efforts reduce the cost of the new Francis Howell North construction project by nearly $1 million
First Citizens Roundtable event is held to gather community input on Prop S projects to prioritize with remaining funds
Board of Education approves a recommendation from Administration to conduct a Prop S Process Review

2023

In March, Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Roumpos presented the results of an internal Prop S Process Review
The Board of Education authorized the District to obtain professional design services to develop initial cost estimates for security vestibules at Henderson Elementary, Fairmount Elementary and the three Early Childhood Centers
The Board approved the District engaging MTM Engineering to provide structural engineering services to design repairs and/or reinforcements to the Francis Howell High School bleachers due to safety concerns

2024

In February, the Board voted to move forward with security vestibules at the District's three early childhood centers, Fairmount and Henderson elementary schools.
At a March work session, the Board authorized the District to explore potential projects, including the transportation fuel island, transportation hub, Francis Howell High School wrestling facility, Francis Howell High School auditorium renovation, Francis Howell Central High School auditorium renovation, Francis Howell Central High School baseball/softball field, and safety and security projects to be determined. View all bond project recommendations on BoardDocs.
In May, the Board approved three Prop S projects: tennis court renovations at Francis Howell High School, new or upgraded playgrounds at all elementary schools, and a multi-phase renovation and addition project at Henderson Elementary.
In June, the Board approved the selection of Hollis + Miller Architects to serve as the District architect for future bond fund and regular capital fund projects.

Visit BoardDocs for the latest Prop S updates and Board action.

Financials

Important Note:

Please visit BoardDocs for the latest financial information regarding Prop S bond funds.

The approval of Proposition S allows the District to borrow money now and in the future to address pressing facility needs at all Francis Howell Schools - at no additional cost to residents.

Initial Budget Estimates (2018)

In 2018, the FHSD Board of Education authorized development of a comprehensive facilities master plan (CFMP) to identify critical infrastructure needs across the District. The CFMP was used to develop the initial scope of projects included in Proposition S. The project budgets included in the CFMP were rough estimates based on square footage, but without project designs or actual bids.

Budget Revision #1 (2020)

Two years later, after the successful passage of Prop S in June 2020, the District revisited the 2018 CFMP project estimates and created updated budgets to guide the Prop S work – still keeping within the bond limit approved by voters. The revised budgets reflected new information based on project designs. The sale of the bonds generated an additional $8.4M, bringing the total funds available to just over $252M.

Budget Revision #2 (2021)

In December 2021, individual project budgets were revised once more to reflect unprecedented market impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised budgets include actual bids, when known. Given the increase in the cost of construction for Francis Howell North, other Prop S projects were reprioritized, and as a result, some work that was originally planned will not be completed within the $252M bond limit. A future bond issue may be required to accomplish the full scope of work initially projected as part of Prop S.

Facilities Advisory Committee

Prop S Design Team

Construction Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

The last voter-approved bond prior to Prop S was in 2008.

The $78.5M bond issue funded the construction of a new Francis Howell High School and renovations and additions at Daniel Boone and Castlio elementary schools, Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central high schools, and HVAC improvements at Barnwell Middle and Fairmount Elementary.

Project Overviews

Maintenance Projects (HVAC, roofs, parking lots, etc.)

new independence playground under construction

Playgrounds, Fields and Athletic Facilities

fhu administrative team stands in front of the new building in hard hats and yellow construction vests

Security Vestibules and Safety Upgrades

fhhs students stand outside 801 corporate; cubical wall panels lay on the ground from moving

Major Remodels and Additions

New Francis Howell Union High School / District Learning Center

New Francis Howell North High School

News & Highlights

Follow construction progress on Twitter at the hashtag #FrancisHowellFriday. Each week we will highlight progress made on the new Francis Howell North High School.

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