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RANDOLPH – Voters narrowly approved Randolph Public Schools’ $9.75 million school bond issue, according to unofficial election results in Cedar, Pierce and Wayne counties.
A total of 429 votes were tabulated for the bond issue while 415 were against - a margin of only 14 votes. If you look at individual county totals, the bond issue was defeated in both Wayne and Pierce counties, but passed in Cedar County.
Cody Backer, who was up late on election night to receive the news he was re-elected to the school board was ecstatic to hear the news that the bond issue also passed - even if both results are technically unofficial.
“I knew it would probably be really close,” he said. “There was a lot that went into it that the majority of people didn’t see. It’s definitely a great thing for the kids and community. Everything the bond stands for are not really wants, it’s needs.”
The $9.75 million bond provides for nearly $4.9 million is planned for upgrades at the elementary, $4.2 million for a new Career Technical Education (CTE) building; and almost $650,000 for updates to the high school building.
Superintendent Daryl Schrunk said he’s appreciative of the community members, school board, administration, and staff who spent time over the past five years to make the bond issue possible. “I believe this project is great for the future of Randolph Public Schools and the community of Randolph,” he said.
“We have a lot of work to still do and I am excited to be leading the next steps seeing the project to completion.”
He said taking the time to fully consider all aspects in the process and the community outreach and engagement ultimately gained support for the bond issue.
“I believe patrons felt the work to whittle down the facility audit to the final bond project was purposeful and geared toward meeting the needs of our students and the children of Randolph for years to come,” he said.
Even though the bond issue passed at the polls, Schrunk said he will continue to try to build support among those who voted against it.
The first impact to taxpayers would be figured into the school district’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget. Most likely, the impact wouldn’t be felt until January 2026, Schrunk said.
Historically, Randolph Public Schools’ tax levy is the lowest among public schools in the area. In some instances, area schools’ levies are more than double that of Randolph’s.
Even with the addition of the proposed bond levy, Randolph Public Schools levy would remain in the same position in comparison with other area schools in its tax request per pupil, Schrunk said.
