Proposition Innovation

Originally constructed in 1959, the HMS Auditorium has been a cornerstone of our school and community for decades. Thanks to $1.5 million in funding from Proposition Innovation, the space has undergone its first-ever large-scale renovation, ensuring it continues to serve students, staff, and the community for years to come.

Key Updates and Improvements:

• Ceiling & Lighting: A brand-new fabric ceiling and improved lighting with lowered bulbs for optimal brightness.
• Climate Control: Upgraded HVAC system for enhanced comfort and energy efficiency.
• Walls & Wainscotting: Patched, painted, and refreshed, bringing a clean, modern look to the space.
• Doors: Solid wood replacements with updated hardware for improved functionality and durability.
• Stage: Refinished to a sleek black matte finish, ready for performances and events.
• Curtains: Replaced with high-quality, modern drapery.
• Seating: Out with the old! All original chairs were recycled, making way for new, comfortable seating.
• Flooring: Old carpet was removed and replaced with durable, updated materials.
• Sound System: A state-of-the-art sound system was installed for clear, immersive audio.

This renovation honors the history of HMS Auditorium while embracing the future with a modernized, functional, and inviting design. We’re thrilled to welcome our community back to this revitalized space!

The transformation of Porter Stadium is officially underway! Demolition began on Tuesday, November 19, following the conclusion of the football season. While the stadium remains closed for safety reasons, we aim to reopen the track for walkers as soon as we are able.

We’re excited to share the highlights of this much-anticipated renovation. Renderings provide a preview of the new and improved stadium; however, please note that minor changes may occur during the construction process.

Key upgrades include:

• ADA Accessibility: The stadium will now meet ADA standards, making it accessible for all members of our community.
• Modern Concessions: Redesigned for greater safety and efficiency, improving the game-day experience.
• Expanded Restrooms: Larger, ADA-compliant facilities for added convenience.
• Seating Upgrades: New aluminum bleachers with enhanced reserve seating options.
• Improved Entry Points: Additional gates and entrances for easier access and better traffic flow.

Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed before the start of the fall sports season. To celebrate this milestone, we’re planning a community celebration on August 16, 2024, during Meet the Pirates.

In the meantime, please note that graduation ceremonies will be held in Korf Gymnasium on Thursday, May 22.

Stay tuned for updates as we bring this vision to life and create a space that serves our students, athletes, and community for generations to come!

Background: The Hannibal Public School District Board of Education voted at the January 17th, 2024 meeting to place a $30 million no-tax increase bond issue on the April 2, 2024 ballot.

The bond issue Proposition Innovation will be used to:

• Drive innovation for the community
  • Through the construction of the Hannibal Innovation Campus and expansion of the Hannibal Career and Technical Education Center.
• Provide opportunities for students through fine arts and athletic upgrades
  • Through renovation of the Hannibal Middle School and Hannibal High School auditoriums.
  • Upgrading Porter Stadium concession stand, restrooms, and bleachers for ADA compliance.
• Protect the community’s investment in its facilities
  • Prepay existing lease financing.
  • Complete other repairs and improvements of existing facilities of the District.

Proposition Innovation

Shall the Board of Education of the Hannibal School District No. 60, Missouri, without an estimated increase in the current debt service property tax levy, borrow money in the amount of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds to construct, equip, and furnish the Hannibal Innovation Campus; to complete Middle School and High School Auditorium renovations; to upgrade the Porter Stadium concession stand, restrooms, and bleachers for ADA compliance; to prepay existing lease financings; to the extent funds are available, complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the District; and issue general obligation bonds for payment thereof?  If this proposition is approved, the adjusted debt service levy of the School District is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.1200 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of real and personal property.

How is it possible to issue bonds without a tax rate increase to the debt service levy?

Thanks to good financial management by the Board of Education, the Hannibal Public School District is in a position to ask for bonds without raising taxes. This is a result of paying off existing debts and refinancing for better rates. Because of these factors, we have room in our state-set debt limit to issue additional bonds with a no-tax rate increase. The district has room to borrow money and extend these loans. We will continue to carefully monitor our debt and interest rates to save taxpayer dollars.

If it was not for the no-tax rate increase bond issue, would taxes go down?

Because the District is still paying off existing debt, the debt service levy will not decrease. Even if the proposition is not approved by voters in April, the District will use the taxes collected at the current rate to continue aggressively payoff other existing debt.

What will the $30Million Bonds be used for?

• The $30 million dollars will be used for the following:
  • Complete the Hannibal Innovation Campus located at 4417 McMasters Avenue, formerly known as Sutherlands.
    • Auto Technology - existing program will improve/expand at the new building
    • Machine Tool - existing program will improve/expand at the new building
    • Cosmetology - existing program will improve/expand at the new building
    • Welding - existing program will improve/expand at the new building
    • Health Services - existing program will improve/expand at the new building
    • NEW - Culinary Arts & Hospitality - new program added to meet the needs of the community
    • ADULT EDUCATION - we are working with community partners to bring back adult education opportunities
    • 2026-2027 School Year- completion date
  • Renovations at the MS/HS Auditoriums
    • MS - Seating, Flooring, Ceiling Redone, Lighting, Ventilation, Painted, Stage Floor Refinished, Interior Doors
    • HS- Seating Repair, Carpeting, Painting, Stage Floor Refinished, Interior Doors/Hardware, Lighting, Larger Stage Entrance Doors
    • Summer 2024 - Begin work on this date
  • Making bleachers, restrooms and concessions at Porter Stadium ADA accessible.
    • Seating, Concessions, Restrooms, Pressbox
    • Following football season season next year
  • Prepaying leases  certificates of participation (turf project)which frees up operating funds 
  • Other projects as money is available.

If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out to Central Office or Communications so we can provide timely and accurate answers.

Contact: 
(573) 221-1258
communications@hannibal60.com