Voters Decide Fate of $28M Bonds for Mercer County High School

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Mercer County High School might soon receive a much-anticipated renovation.

“Extensive planning brought us to this stage,” stated Tim Farquer, the superintendent of Mercer County Schools. “The present structure was built back in 1954.”

It boils down to whether Merger, Henderson, and Rock Island County voters approve a referendum for $28 million in bonds over a 30-year period on April 1.

"We would rather implement comprehensive updates to update the facility, but we understand that this necessitates taking on additional debt over a extended timeframe," Farquer stated.

The initiative centers around enhancing classrooms, updating buildings, and boosting safety and security measures.

Many of these places," Farquer explained, "have labs, setups, and tools that date back to 1954 when they were built, set up, or bought." He added, "Our laboratory workstations often fail to operate at full capacity. Right now, we require students to go outdoors just to reach their vocational-tech courses. Our aim is to create an enclosed connection between this area and the primary structure, allowing children to avoid walking across the car park several times each day for school sessions.

Farquer stated that the proposal wouldn't affect taxpayers' finances.

"In the initial eight years, we expect the school tax rate to remain unchanged whether the referendum passes or fails," Farquer stated.

A simple majority is required for the bond to be approved.

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