152 million bond to go before Monroe voters

Monroe school officials are advocating for a $152 million bond to fund capital projects, including relocating the Sky Valley Education Center to a revamped Wagner Center. Voters will decide on the bond during a special election in February 2026, requiring a 60 percent supermajority to pass. If approved, property owners will incur a cost of 62 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, amounting to $310 for a home valued at $500,000. Superintendent Shawn Woodward highlighted the lack of state funding for school construction through local levies, making bonds vital. The proposal includes significant upgrades to the Wagner Center, with costs estimated at over $65 million, while preserving its historic chimney.

Other projects involve modernizing facilities at Frank Wagner Elementary and Salem Woods Elementary, enhancing safety and security across the district. The Monroe School District last pursued a bond in 2015, which funded modernization efforts at Park Place Middle School. An information kickoff event is set for November 13 at Park Place Middle School to educate residents about the bond proposal.