School District of Clayton Voters to Consider Bond Issue on April 7

The School District of Clayton Board of Education voted unanimously at its Jan. 21 meeting to place a $135 million, zero tax rate increase bond referendum on the April 7, 2026, ballot.

Proposition O (Prop O) would require approval from four of seven voters (57.14 percent) to pass. If approved, it would fund the first phase of projects identified in the District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, including:

• The full renovation of Glenridge Elementary School to modernize infrastructure and create a safe, future-ready learning environment;
• Construction of a new STEM Learning Lab at Clayton High School to expand career and technical education opportunities; and
• Upgrades to Clayton High School’s athletic campus, Gay Field, to improve safety, accessibility and community use.

Since spring 2024, the District has worked closely with families, staff, students, City leaders and community members to shape the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. The process included community conversations, forums, surveys, focus groups, and expert evaluations, along with site assessments and feasibility studies to ensure strategic, future-focused planning.

Based on this research, the Board engaged Paragon Architecture and Perkins&Will to develop plans for the District’s three elementary schools and Clayton High School. BLDD Architects was selected to identify needed improvements to Gay Field, Adzick Field and Wydown Middle School’s outdoor field. To estimate potential costs, the District has worked with BSI Constructors throughout the planning process.

“Prop O stands for Our schools, Our community and Our future,” said Superintendent Dr. Nisha Patel. “To maintain stable taxes for our community, we are approaching these projects in phases, focusing on our most critical needs first. With community support, this bond issue will allow us to invest strategically in our facilities in a way that honors Clayton’s legacy of excellence and supports students for generations to come.”

When voters approve a bond issue, they allow the District to borrow funds to make major improvements such as building renovations, new learning spaces and large-scale facility upgrades. While the District’s regular budget supports day-to-day operations and routine maintenance, Prop O will provide the resources needed to complete larger projects—without taking money away from instruction or increasing the tax rate.

“It has been 16 years since the District last asked voters to consider a bond issue,” said Board President Stacy Siwak. “Much like Prop W transformed Wydown into the modern, future-ready school our students use today, that same vision is guiding Prop O. We provide an exceptional education, and we want to ensure that our facilities match the high-levels of learning that are happening in our classrooms and on our athletic fields.”

The April 7, 2026 bond issue would fund approximately $135 million in projects at the District’s current debt levy of $0.5110 per $100 assessed valuation, resulting in no increase to the tax rate. Seniors enrolled in the property tax freeze program can confidently know there can be no increase in taxes for their primary residence. 

Visit www.ClaytonPropO.org to learn more. For questions, please email PropO@claytonschools.net.