Voters Decide on Variety of School Issues

There were several school bond issues on the ballot Tuesday.  Most districts want to add new buildings or make improvements to existing facilities. 

Fair Grove asked for $6.8 million and that's what it looks like it's going to get.  The measure passed with 61 percent of voters in favor.

In Lebanon, the district wanted $25 million for a high school.  However, it was voted down; 83 percent of voters said no.

And the Republic school district asked for $19 million to build a new high school.  That passed Tuesday night with 64 percent of voters agreeing to the measure.  It also asked for a tax levy increase to help pay for more staff and to make improvements.  That measure also passed.  The new school will be completed by the fall of 2009.  This issue was something the district had worked on for months and there was a lot of celebration Tuesday night.

"We're so excited.  This is something we've worked hard for.  It will help our kiddos.  It's a really feel good feeling." said Dr. Pam Hedgepeth, Republic’s Superintendent.

The reason Republic needs the new high school is because of a lot of growth and that's something the Fair Grove school district can identify with.  It says it's seen a spike in student enrollment and that's causing a lot of classroom cramping.

Fair Grove decided the solution was a $6.8 million middle school addition.  It went to voters with that request in February.  The majority of voters agreed with the plan, but the issue missed the two-thirds mandatory vote by just two percent.  So, the district put the issue on the ballot again on Tuesday and got the approval it was looking for.

"It is a big relief.  We have really worked hard to get the message and facts out to voters.  There was a lot of miscommunication out there. We worked really hard to overcome that and get good info out there and make good decisions." says Lisa Bernet, a member of the Classrooms First committee.