Windsor Board Approves Bond Moves Projected to Save More Than $2.2 Million

The Windsor Board of Education approved a series of financial moves during its Sept. 23 meeting that district advisers said could save more than $2.2 million in interest costs, while also handling several pieces of routine business for the 2026-27 school year.

Watching the process firsthand was a group of Windsor Middle School leadership students who attended the meeting as part of their study of Robert’s Rules of Order and how formal meetings operate.

Superintendent Dr. Jason King welcomed the students at the beginning of his report, telling them the board meeting was a good place to see those procedures in practice.

King told the students that Robert’s Rules had played a significant role throughout his own career and encouraged them to ask questions of district leaders about the meeting process.

Board members returned to the students’ visit during their closing comments, thanking them for attending and encouraging them to continue developing as leaders.

Bond Prepayment and Refinancing Could Save More Than $2.2 Million

One of the evening’s most significant discussions centered on the district’s outstanding bonds and debt service fund.

Brad White of L.J. Hart Company told the board the district was in a strong financial position because of its debt service fund balance, growth in assessed valuation and savings achieved through previous bond refunding.

The board first approved a $1.75 million prepayment on its Series 2021 bonds. According to White, that move is expected to save approximately $115,000 in interest expense.

The board then authorized the refunding of $8.5 million in Series 2022 general obligation bonds.

White explained that the refinancing would reduce the interest rate on those bonds from approximately 5 percent to 4 percent while also significantly shortening the repayment schedule.

The original bonds had maturities extending as far as 2042. Under the proposed structure, the refinanced debt would be paid off by approximately 2031 or 2032.

The accelerated repayment means the district would make larger principal payments in the earlier years, but White said the restructuring is projected to save approximately $2.13 million over the life of the bonds.

Combined with the $115,000 saved through the separate prepayment, the two actions are expected to generate more than $2.2 million in projected savings.

White also told the board that, dating back to 1998, refinancing and related debt-management strategies have saved the district approximately $13.2 million in interest expense.

The projections were built using conservative assumptions of about 1 percent annual growth in assessed valuation, despite the district experiencing growth closer to 5 percent in recent years.

White also presented a scenario showing that the district could potentially support as much as a $27 million no-tax-increase bond issue in the future if additional capital facility needs arise. No new bond issue was proposed or approved during the meeting.

District Reviews Emergency and Crisis Plans

The board also received its annual update on the district’s crisis plan.

District officials said the plan is reviewed each year in cooperation with emergency management officials and individual school buildings.

One of the more recent changes involves the district’s two storm shelters, which were fully implemented last school year. Their availability has changed some emergency procedures and drills at the high school, middle school, and intermediate center.

District officials explained that building-specific emergency procedures and district wide plans are reviewed and updated annually.

Specific portions of the crisis plans are kept internal because they contain sensitive safety information.

New Waste and Recycling Contract Approved

The board approved a three-year contract that will consolidate the district’s trash and recycling services with a single provider.

District officials said Windsor had previously divided the two services between separate companies and decided to seek bids for a combined contract.

Republic Services submitted the lower proposal, according to the presentation, with the board approving a three-year contract totaling approximately $184,050.

The proposal was about $32,000 less than a competing three-year bid from Waste Management.

District officials said the change is also expected to save approximately $5,600 compared with what Windsor is currently spending while simplifying administration by placing both trash and recycling under one contract.

Alternative Instruction Plan Approved for Weather Days

The district’s Alternative Methods of Instruction, or AMI, plan was also approved for the 2026-27 school year.

AMI allows the district to use remote or take-home instruction on certain weather-related closure days rather than automatically adding those days to the end of the school calendar.

The district can use up to six AMI days.

For secondary students, the plan generally relies on Google Classroom and communication with teachers. Elementary students receive more traditional paper packets that can be completed from home.

District administrators emphasized that AMI remains an option and does not eliminate the district’s ability to declare a traditional snow day when circumstances warrant one.

Building Improvement Plans Approved

The board also approved improvement plans for Windsor Elementary, Freer Elementary, Windsor Intermediate Center, Windsor Middle School, and Windsor High School.

District administrators said each building develops goals that support the district’s broader Comprehensive School Improvement Plan.

Those building-level goals then help guide professional development and other initiatives throughout the school year.

Administrators review the plans with building principals throughout the year to monitor progress.

Board Sets 2026-27 Tax Levy and Tuition Rate

The board approved the district’s 2026-27 tax levy following a tax-rate hearing held earlier in the evening.

The incidental levy, also known as Fund 1, was set at approximately $3.23, while the debt service levy, or Fund 3, was set at approximately $1.53.

The combined levy is approximately $4.76 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The board also set the district’s 2026-27 tuition rate at $11,584.44 per student, a rate the district is required by Missouri law to establish annually.

Homecoming and Student Activities Highlighted

King and the district’s student representative also highlighted several upcoming activities and recent student accomplishments.

The Windsor Golden Brigade earned first-place honors in its class at the Edwardsville Tiger Ambush Classic, along with awards for outstanding music, outstanding visual performance, and outstanding general effect.

The Windsor volleyball team was recognized following a five-set win over Park Hills Central during a special night supporting a teammate and her family.

Homecoming festivities were also highlighted, with Windsor’s parade scheduled for Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. and the Owls scheduled to host Hillsboro that evening.

King credited students, staff members, sponsors and teachers for the work required to organize the annual celebration.

The meeting ended with board members again recognizing the Windsor Middle School leadership students in attendance.

Several board members encouraged the students to view leadership as both an opportunity and a responsibility, while thanking them for taking an interest in how their school district is governed.

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