The De Soto Unified School District No. 232 wants to use a new $99.8 million bond for special education spaces, safety upgrades, additions to elementary and middle schools, and maybe even a pool — if voters approve it in March.
District leaders on Monday voted 4-2 to approve the first of two options for ballot language, which would not specifically ask voters if they wanted a pool. Board Members Brandi Jonasson and Anh-Nguyet Nguyen voted against the measure. Both were clear they wanted the bond, but they also wanted voters to consider funding a pool directly. Board Member Calley Malloy was absent.
The school district will now submit the ballot language for state consideration this winter ahead of the March 2026 mail-in ballot election.
The board chose between two options for the ballot:
- Option one, which the school board approved, keeps the mill levy steady for a $99.8 million bond.
- Option two comprised a two-part proposition, the first of which included the $99.8 million bond. The second proposition tied to it proposed a 1% mill levy increase, bringing the grand total to $117.1 million. The second proposition, which hinged on voter approval of the first proposition, explicitly called for a pool facility.
Ballot language on option two used the term “natatorium,” which means indoor pool facilities. Several board members, including Ashley Spaulding, didn’t feel confident enough voters would know what that word means.
“Does the general public know what a natatorium is?” Spaulding asked. “I did not, I’m going to be really honest. I’m a communications person, so I’d like to think that my vocabulary is fairly decent, but I really did not know what a natatorium is.”
Board Member Danielle Heikes agreed with Spaulding, adding that any confusion might result in voters rejecting both propositions for option two. However, Jonasson and Nguyen disagreed.
“I definitely want a bond,” Jonasson said. “I just wanted option two to give the public a chance to decide whether they want a pool or not.”
While the board approved ballot language that does not include specifics about a pool, several board members noted that funding from the $99.8 million could still be dedicated for a district pool.
The broad overview of the prioritized projects include:
- building safety and security upgrades,
- special education learning spaces,
- additions at both the elementary and middle school levels for future growth,
- learning spaces for the arts,
- athletic facilities additions and improvements,
- career and technical education program space at Cedar Trails Exploration Center,
- and early childhood education space also at Cedar Trails.
Voters approved the last bond in 2018 for $85 million. It funded safety and security upgrades, technology, facility expansions, athletic improvements and the construction of Cedar Trails Exploration Center, which an Olympian visited earlier this year.
If the ballot language is approved by the county and state officials this winter, then voters will consider the bond March 3 by mail-in ballot election.
