(posted Nov. 16)
Although the official canvass of the De Soto (Kan.) district bond issue narrowed the margin from 81 to 32 voters, the issue was still defeated. Now, De Soto administrators have to plan for the hundreds of new students enrolling in district schools each year. The defeated $105.7 million bond would have paid for expansions of both high schools and construction of more elementary schools, as well as other amenities. (De Soto Explorer)
(posted Nov. 14)
The Burleson (Texas) school district's $259 million bond proposal has won approval overwhelmingly. The three-proposition package will provide funds to address growth in the school district. It will pay for three elementary schools, a second high school and land acquisition for future school sites. (Cleburne Times-Review)
Glenbrook (Ill.) High School District 225 is not celebrating yet, but it appears closer to confirming that voters have approved a $94 million bond issue by a slim margin. Unofficial election results showed the Glenview-based district's bond issue ahead by 155 votes. The bonds would pay to improve aging buildings, revamp kitchens, science laboratories and athletic facilities, and pay off debt. (Chicago Tribune)
Though the $43.4 million bond proposal to provide a new high school and upgrades to other facilities in the Lampasas (Texas) Independent School District failed last week, it's a sure bet the matter will come up again in May. (Lampasas Dispatch Record)
Hays (Texas) district voters approved a $46.3 million bond referendum on last week. The bond package includes two new elementary schools, new buses, technology and repairs to Buda Elementary. (San Marcos Daily Record)
(posted Nov. 10)
The Hillsboro (Ore.) district is projecting that its $169 million bond will pass because of the margin it was leading by and the number of uncounted ballots remaining. (Portland Oregonian)
How did proponents win passage of an $870 million bond proposal in the San Diego Community College District? Some observers say they benefited from smart political decisions and voters' positive impressions of community colleges. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Clatsop Community College's failure to secure a $24 million bond issue in this week's general election does not mean plans for a new campus in Astoria, Ore., are dead in the water. (Daily Astorian)
Niles, Ohio, voters will be asked again in February to approve a bond issue that would provide funds for a new high school and two new elementaries. Voters turned down the bond issue request this week. The Ohio School Facilities Commission has pledged to pay 68 percent of the projected $57 million cost to build the high school and elementaries. The bond issue would pay the rest. It also would pay for renovations to the athletic complex.
(posted Nov. 9)
A huge fundraising advantage and a disunified opposition helped supporters of a $970 million Wake County, N.C., school construction bond issue win approval. (Raleigh News & Observer)
In Illinois, school officials from Minooka, Oak Lawn and Matteson districts say that although burgeoning student populations have left them scrambling for space and money, voters who rejected referendum issues just aren't getting the message. Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 failed to gain approval to sell $49 million in bonds for a new junior high school and an additional elementary school. The Oak Lawn district had sought a tax increase of $2.3 million a year to offset deficit spending. Matteson Elementary School District 159 had sought a 27-cent increase that would have enabled the district to cover a $3.4 million deficit. (Chicago Tribune)
Voters in Barrington, Ill.-based Community Unit School District 220 probably will be asked again next spring to approve a bond issue and property-tax increase to ease middle-school crowding. An $87.5 million bond issue to build two middle schools failed this week to win approval. (Chicago Tribune)
A 1-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax used over the last decade in Georgia to fund new classrooms and technology has established itself as the popular choice among school districts to pay for capital needs. Voters in four counties approved a renewal of the tax this week: Gwinnett, Cherokee, Forsyth and Rockdale. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Voters in 12 Phoenix-area districts have approved bond money to build schools. But eight districts failed to win override proposals that would have provided money for teacher salaries or computers and equipment. (Arizona Republic)
With passage of a school bond, Katy (Texas) district officials are mapping out plans to build new schools and renovate older facilities. (Houston Chronicle)
( posted Nov. 8)California's Proposition 1D has been approved by voters. It will provide $10.4 billion in bonds for school and college construction and repairs in the state. (KNBC-TV)
An $870 million bond for the San Diego Community College District, was maintaining a healthy margin for passage, paving the way for classrooms, labs and other facility needs for three community colleges and six adult education centers....Another community college bond, the first ever for the Palomar Community College District, was right on the verge of receiving the 55 percent needed support in early results. The bond measure would raise $694 million to pay for expansion and upgrades to the 60-year-old college....A $644 million bond proposal for repairs and upgrades to 35 middle, high and adult school campuses in the Sweetwater Union High School District carried a healthy lead in early returns. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Bay Area Results: A $450 million bond proposal in the San Francisco school district has won handily. The money will be used to rebuild rundown and unsafe school buildings....Other Bay Area proposals: A $109 million bond that would create an Arts Education Center at San Leandro High School in the San Leandro district was passing....an $85 million bond to rebuild Pittsburg High School in the Pittsburg district was heading toward victory....In the Liberty Union High district, voters were rejecting an $85 million bond that would have paid for a fourth high school and land for a fifth....In the Napa Valley Unified District, a $183 million bond was passing that would pay for a new high school for 2,200 students....In the Jefferson Union High District, voters were approving a $137 million bond to renovate five high schools....A $298 million bond for renovations at the San Mateo district's seven high schools,was winning....Campbell Union High district voters were narrowly approving a $90 million bond to improve libraries, bathrooms, computers, classrooms and gyms at several schools....A $150 million bond to finance a long list of school repairs in the Evergreen elementary district in San Jose was passing. (San Francisco Chronicle)
The fate of the largest school bond in the Sacramento region's history likely won't be known until later this week. With a portion of the absentee votes counted, a $750 million bond by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, was losing (Sacramento Bee)
The $338 million Victor Valley (Calif.) Community College bond touted as a way to repair and expand campus facilities, appears doomed, according to late results. (Victorville Daily Press)
Wake County (N.C.) voters have approved a hotly contested $970 million school construction bond referendum. School, business and civic leaders had argued that the proposal was the the cheapest way to provide classroom seats for up to 32,000 more students expected to enroll by 2010. (Raleigh News & Observer)
Voters in Oswego (Ill.) Community School District 308 have approved a $450 million bond proposal that would pay for an early childhood center, eight new elementary schools, four new junior highs, one new high school, additional support facilities, and renovations and/or additions to existing schools over the next five years. (www.oswego308.org)
Voters in the Katy (Texas) school district have approved a $269.5 million bond issue to build and renovate schools. (Houston Chronicle)....Other Houston-area bond proposals: A $35 million bond issue in the Columbia-Brazoria school district was rejected. It would have provided funds to rebuild Wild Peach Elementary School and renovate parts of Columbia High School, Barrow Elementary School and some sports facilities....Voters in the Pearland school district approved a $115.6 million bond issue to build two new high schools and two new elementary schools....Sweeny school district voters approved a $16 million bond issue to renovate the 50-year-old Sweeny High School....Lamar district voters agreed on a $281.2 million bond package for new schools, a transportation facility and buses....Voters in the Willis school district approved a $39.9 million bond package to address growth and safety.
Round Rock (Texas) school district voters have approved $267 million in school bonds. The four propositions will fund new campuses, equipment, buses and school renovations. (News 8 Austin)
One of Utah's fastest-growing school districts will be able to continue building schools. A majority of Alpine School District residents have voted in favor of a $230 million bond request. (Deseret News)
Voters in the rapidly growing North Harris Montgomery (Texas) Community College District rejected a $250 million bond to build additional classrooms. (Houston Chronicle)
The Boulder Valley (Colo.) School District has won approval of a $297 million proposal to repair, improve and enlarge aging buildings. (Denver Post)
In Michigan, Proposal 5, a guaranteed annual funding increase for the state's public schools and colleges, lost resoundingly Tuesday. (Detroit Free Press)
