The $19.4 million bond proposal for new construction and improvements in the Greene County school district was approved by a majority of voters, but not the super majority required by law.
With all precincts counted, unofficial results show 1,161 “yes” votes (53.09 percent), and 1,026 “no” votes (46.91 percent). By the Code of Iowa, 60 percent is needed to approve a bond issue.
Mike Dennhardt received 1,093 votes (54.76 percent) for school board while Jonathon B. Hinote received 881 votes (44.14 percent). There were 22 write-in votes cast.
A total of 2,193 ballots were cast, for a voter turnout of 38.53 percent.
The bond issue was approved in the Jefferson precinct by a vote of 973 “yes” (61.58 percent), and 607 “no” (38.42 percent). Voter turnout in the precinct was 39.51 percent.
Voters in the Grand Junction precinct turned it down by a vote of 220 “no” (74.83 percent) to 74 “yes” (25.17 percent). Voter turnout was 35.33 percent.
Eighty voters in the Rippey precinct voted “no” (67.23 percent) and 39 voted “yes” (32.77 percent). Voter turnout was 38.51 percent.
Voters in Scranton voted it down by a vote of 119 “no” (61.34 percent) and 75 “yes” (38.66 percent). Voter turnout was 36.18 percent.
A total of 525 voters cast early/absentee ballots. Of those voters, 274 voted “yes” and 251 voted “no”. Their votes are reflected in the precinct totals above, depending on the residence of each voter.
School superintendent Tim Christensen thanked the Pay It Forward, Vote Yes volunteer committee for the time they invested in educating the public about the bond referendum. “They did a fantastic job,” he said.
He and the board of education will discuss the next steps in dealing the district’s building challenges.
A similar proposal failed a year ago by a 3:2 margin with 28.6 percent voter turnout.
In the school board election, Dennhardt was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Susan Burkett last January. He will serve until that term expires in 2017.
By precinct, the votes were: Jefferson, Dennhardt 772 (53.28 percent), Hinote 659 (45.48 percent); Grand Junction, Dennhardt 153 (57.3 percent), Hinote 111 (41.57 percent); Rippey, Dennhardt 75 (66.96 percent), Hinote 37 (33.04 percent); and Scranton, Dennhardt 93 (55.36 percent), Hinote 74 (44.05 percent).
