.jpg)
RANDOLPH - School board members are continuing to look to the future after voters narrowly rejected a $9.75 million school bond issue.
When factoring in ballots cast in Pierce, Wayne and Cedar counties, the vote came up short by eight votes, 484-476.
“The needs that are there aren’t going away,” said Board Member Lucas Miller at the board’s regular meeting Monday night. “That elementary building still hasn’t changed in 60 years.”
The $9.75 million bond proposal provided for nearly $4.9 million is planned for upgrades at the elementary, $4.2 million for a new Career Technical Agriculture Education building; and almost $650,000 for updates to the high school building.
Perhaps timing was an issue with rural patrons focused on the fall harvest and unable to attend educational sessions on the proposed school bond, said Board President Paul Schmit.
“It’s hard to educate people that don’t want to be educated. If they wanted to come, they could’ve come,” said Board Member Cody Backer.
Schmit wondered if there’s a segment who voted against the bond who would’ve voted no on any proposal that increased taxes, regardless of its merits.
“We have to figure out why, what they’re thinking,” he said.
With a nearly 50-50 split, administrators and the board will take the time necessary to reassess and explore solutions, said Superintendent Daryl Schrunk.
“In the meantime, we encourage our community members to share your thoughts and ideas with us as we work together to find a path forward for our students and Randolph,” he said.
While the bond issue vote was close, Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit said it’s not close enough to mandate an automatic recount.
She said the state randomly selected Cedar County to do a precinct recount. She chose Randolph’s Precinct 11 for that process although she doesn’t anticipate it making a difference in the outcome of the school bond issue.
Canvassing boards for Pierce, Wayne and Cedar counties met last week and this week to certify election results, making them official.
While disappointed with the outcome, Schrunk said he’s grateful for the support of so many throughout the process.
“Thank you to our dedicated Community volunteers who put in countless hours to prioritize only the most urgent needs of our project—addressing safety, security, and career training for our students,” he said. “These needs remain critical, and unfortunately, we know that construction costs will continue to rise.”
State legislation limits schools budget growth by 3 percent so the facility needs could not be financed by a regular levy. The school board looked at other funding options but ultimately decided a bond fit the district’s needs best.
If it would’ve passed, the proposal bond issue would’ve added about io cents to the school’s levy.
The board will have to wait at least six months before trying to pass another bond.
