Bond issue passes with 62.5%

by Andrea Farrington

The high school gym was filled with applause and cheering on Tuesday, Feb. 7 during the home basketball game against HLV, when it was announced that the bond issue election held that day had passed. 

It was required that there be at least 60% “yes” votes for the bond to pass. The third time around, the most recent election, there were 62.5% “yes” votes.

With each new bond issue proposal, the “yes” votes have gradually increased.  As the amount for the bond issue decrased, it gained support from the community.  In Sept. 2010 there were only 40% “yes,” and in April of 2011 there were 56% “yes” votes. This year there were 972 votes total, 608 votes being “yes” and 364 being “no.”

Superintendent Dave Versteeg said, “It is an important investment in our school and community. The money will be put to good use improving the facility.”

It is predicted that some of the smaller projects for the school will begin this summer; however, the  large projects including electrical, plumbing and ventilation will not start until the summer of 2013. The school board will be discussing what project they will start with during their meeting on Feb. 15.

The construction on the school should be done within the next two or three years.

I am personally very enthusiastic that the bond passed because I would like the school I attended all my life to be open for as long as possible. I am proud of this school and community and would not like to see it fall to pieces because students have to transfer to other schools. Thank you to those of you that voted yes on the school bond issue, it is much appreciated.