Nov. 5 will not only be a day voters decide on the nation’s next president, but Murray residents will have a say in the future of Murray School District’s school buildings.

As the state doesn’t provide school districts with funding to build or renovate schools, Murray School District is proposing a general obligation bond measure to rebuild Riverview Junior High and add a classroom wing to Murray High School.

Voters will have the opportunity to vote to approve the $125-million bond referendum, which will be used to construct those facilities. School district officials say $90 million will be used for Riverview’s new school building while $35 million will be earmarked for Murray High’s additional classroom wing and security improvements.

The school district will hold four bond measure information meetings. Those will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The first will be Sept. 4 at Riverview Junior High, 751 Tripp Lane, and a second, Sept. 10, at Murray High School, 5440 S. State St. The last two will both be Oct. 1 and Oct. 7 at the school district office, 5102 Commerce Dr.

A bond measure public hearing is set for 5 p.m., Sept. 12 at the school district office.

Additionally, information tables will be available at parent-teacher conferences Sept. 23-24 at the elementary schools, Sept. 25 at Murray High and Sept. 25-26 at the junior high schools.

The bond measure will be on the November ballot. A simple majority is required for approval.

In the past 40 years, Murray School District has sought two previous bonds, both passed—one to rebuild Hillcrest Junior High in 2012 and provide seismic upgrades to the district’s schools, and a second one in 2001 to rebuild Murray High.

Riverview Junior High was built in 1960, with additions in 1962, 1965, 1972 and 1992. 

Murray School District Superintendent Jennifer Covington said the aged building has outdated wiring, leaky roofs, inadequate ventilation and deteriorating plumbing. 

“A new school would prioritize modern safety features and a healthy learning environment,” she said. “Modern schools can also incorporate energy-efficient features like LED lighting, water efficiency, and the possibility of geothermal ground loop systems for heating and cooling.”

Covington added there would be flexible learning spaces for technology integration and collaboration.

Murray High was completed in 2002, with an option for an additional wing when needed. This new wing would allow the incoming ninth graders space to learn as recently the Murray Board of Education approved ninth graders moving from the junior highs to the high schools and sixth graders will move from elementary schools to junior high schools. 

With this wing addition, a new front entrance with a secure vestibule will be built for a single-entry point for visitors, which provides additional safety for Murray High.

With construction costs projected to rise, Covington said delaying construction will only increase the cost to taxpayers.

“Currently, it is approximately $500 per square foot to build a school. Compare that to our last rebuild (Hillcrest Junior High School) in 2012, which cost roughly $180 per square foot to build,” she said.

The bond funding is designed for the school district to sell the bonds for the construction projects and residents pay back a portion of the principal and interest every year through their property taxes until the bond is paid off in full. Typically, general obligation bonds are scheduled to be paid out in 20 years, but the district has refinanced or refunded bonds to get a better rate on outstanding debt, which saves millions of taxpayer dollars, Covington said.

“Based on conservative projections, the property tax on an average home valued at $538,400 in Murray City will increase by about $172 per year. On a business, property taxes will increase by about $313 per year,” she said.

If the bond measure fails, the district will consider other financing options for the Murray High School addition, which will be more expensive to taxpayers and the school district. Riverview students will remain in its existing building, with repairs being made as funds allow, Covington said. λ