On April 7, 2026, residents of the Meramec Valley R-III School District will vote on a general obligation bond proposal that has the potential to reshape education in our community for future generations.
The board has formally approved the language for Proposition S—“Prop S for Safe Schools for a Strong Future”—a $43 million bond initiative designed to fund a new middle school and critical district-wide improvements.
Notably, the measure requires a 4/7ths (57.14%) majority vote in April to pass and will not result in a property tax increase for residents if approved.
The proposal reflects years of careful study, community input, and planning focused on what is best for students and the district as a whole. We believe these investments are essential to maintaining high-quality educational opportunities and ensuring our schools remain strong, safe, and competitive for years to come.
In 2024, we adopted a long-range master plan to guide future development. The plan indicates that Pacific Intermediate presents some of the most challenges among all the schools we maintain because, at 63 years old, it’s the second-oldest facility at MVR-III.
Architects and engineers estimate that a full-scale renovation of the school would exceed the cost required to build a new facility. This reality is why the new bond proposal calls for $38 million to finance the construction of a new energy-efficient middle school with a storm shelter for students in grades 7-8 near Pacific High School. Students in grades 5-6 would transition to Riverbend Middle School.
Investments would be made at every campus with an approved bond issue. Some of the highlights include a potential expansion of career and technical education resources at Pacific High School and renovating athletic fields that would serve both the high school and a new middle school.
Our proposal calls for enhanced safety measures, such as keyless entry systems in all schools and new security cameras. Plans are in process for a partial retrofit project at Pacific Intermediate so the school can better serve alternative students and special education programming.
Placing the question on the April ballot allows our community to make the final decision. In the coming months, the district will share details about the district's needs and the solutions possible with an approved bond issue so that voters can make an informed decision on election day.
We thank our community members for the support you provide to MVR-III and the students we serve—and for your continued engagement in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Matt Trower, President
Dianna Meyer, Vice President
Mary Clasby-Agee
Amanda Nemeth
Tim Richardson
Laura Riegler
Louis Vondera