Voters in the Greene County School District will go to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 13, to cast a ballot on a bond issue.
There are two issues on the ballot. One asks voters to approve by a 60 percent margin a $19.4 million bond issue to build and remodel the current elementary and high school buildings in Jefferson. A 60 percent approval is needed for the bond issue to proceed.
There is also a contest for a position on the school board. Two candidates are vying to complete the term of Susan Burkett who resigned in January. Mike Dennhardt of Rippey, who was appointed to fill the vacancy, is running, as is Jonathon (J.B.) Hinote of Jefferson.*
Voters can vote absentee now at the auditor’s office in the courthouse. Ballots will be mailed to people who provide a written absentee ballot request. The request forms can be obtained in person at the auditor’s office or downloaded at www.co.greene.ia.us
Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm on Sept. 13. Polling places are: Scranton, city hall; Rippey, community center/library; Grand Junction, St Brigid Parish Center; and Jefferson, Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds. (Note change of location for Jefferson voters.)
The bond issue would pay the larger portion of a $22.2 million construction project that will lead to the district having only two attendance centers, both in Jefferson. According to proponents, the project would create safer, more efficient schools with improved learning environments, and save the district $360,000 annually in operating costs.
It is estimated that farm owners will pay about 75 percent of the cost of the school improvements. The estimated cost is $2.54 per year per acre on farm land. For large land owners, the increased tax bill could be $3,000 – $7,000.
The owner of a house assessed at $125,000 would pay an increase of $159.12 per year.
Information on the bond issue is available at www.gccsdbondissue.info. A similar bond issue proposal failed by a wide margin last September. ~The Scranton Journal
*See responses from the candidates to questions posted by GreeneCountyNewsOnline elsewhere on GCNO.
