Comment Monday on Farmington Schools November Bond

Farmington school officials will on Monday listen to what residents have to say about a two-part bond request proposed for the Nov. 5 general election ballot. 

A special board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the North Farmington High School auditorium. Time is scheduled for public comment following a review of the two proposals. 

The agenda includes consideration of a resolution that officials must file with election officials by Aug. 27 in order to put the question on the ballot. If it passes, voters will be asked to approve two proposals: 

• $154.6 million for safety and security improvements, infrastructure improvements, technology, and classroom and media center remodeling
• $31.6 million for improvements to high school performing arts centers, outdoor athletic field replacements and track resurfacing and a technology "refresh"

Since the failure Aug. 6 of a $222 million bond question, school officials and staff have met with a focus group of "yes" and "no" voters and put forward a poll online and distributed through the Farmington Observer newspaper.

At the board's Aug. 20 meeting, Executive Director of PreK-12 Instructional Support Services Jon Manier said feedback indicated the bond amount and lack of clarity about what the district hoped to accomplish were among the factors that weighed negatively on voters. He said full results of the survey, which closed Aug. 22, would be presented during the special meeting.