By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterA recent review of the Warren County R-III School District’s bond issue survey revealed that students’ safety is of the utmost concern among potential voters.It also suggested a lack of clarity among those taking the survey when it came to understanding the terms surrounding a no-tax increase bond issue.Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler shared the results and discussed the district’s plan moving forward during the board’s monthly meeting last Thursday, Sept. 10.“We saw a tremendous amount of support in looking at the projects that had been identified,” he said. “That’s why you do these surveys in advance is to get a feel for your community’s understanding for what you’re wanting to do.”Chandler believes the board faces the obligation to better educate the public about the matter so they can make a more educated decision.“The most important thing is to make sure we do a good job of really educating the community about a no-tax issue is if we end up moving forward with a bond issue,” said Chandler.Concerning the survey results, of the 628 participants, an overwhelming 51.27 percent indicated they strongly support the installation of newly renovated security entrances at all buildings as the most paramount need for the district.“We feel our schools are safe and secure, but there have been a lot of advances in that area and there are still things we can do to increase the safety of our students and staff,” he said.Next is to update HVAC at all buildings at 33.01 percent and parking upgrades at Rebecca Boone Elementary, Daniel Boone Elementary and Warrenton High School followed at 25.76 percent.The least supported issue is a concrete district transportation lot and asphalt loop at Warrenton High School, with 22.65 percent strongly supporting.However, the most strongly opposed matter was the construction of a new softball field with lights and lighting for the baseball field, with 13.59 percent against.The survey also asked voters to rank in order of priority the projects they felt the district should look at first as they study facility upgrades.Again, security upgrades took an astounding portion of the vote, with 48.09 percent indicating as their No. 1 priority. Technology was a distant second at 14.94 percent.In order to determine if the voters clearly understood the issue, the district also asked if an election were held today, would you be comfortable in saying you understand what a debt service levy no tax-increase bond issue would mean. Only 39.34 percent of the participants said yes, 60.66 percent cited uncertainty concerning the matter.Finally, when posed with the question of if they would support or oppose a no tax-increase bond issue in the range of $10 million to fund school facility improvements, 37.84 percent said they would strongly support the matter. Only 2.74 percent were strongly opposed, but many were undecided at 21.21 percent.“I think we saw that the support is there,” said Chandler. “We want to continue to include the community in helping make those decisions and helping us to prioritize the projects.”He says the surveys remains open, and it’s possible another will be conducted in the future.R-III School District