Kearney OKs $45M bond issue

$45 million bond issue OK'd in Kearney

KEARNEY, Neb. — School officials vow to be good stewards of the tax dollars that will be used to build two new elementary schools and renovate other schools.

In a close election Tuesday, voters approved a $45 million school bond issue and a $2 million tax levy override for Kearney Public Schools. Voters approved the bond issue 3,619 to 3,278 and approved the levy override 3,525 to 3,366.

“I wouldn't say I was surprised at the outcome, but I was never overly confident in the outcome,” Superintendent Brian Maher said at a reception at the Merryman Performing Arts Center.

“I really felt like we needed to stay out of the way and just continue to talk about the needs of the school, and we really thought the needs would sell this,” Maher said.

Kearney Board of Education members, school administrators, teachers, community members and others who helped prepare bond information met at the arts center after the polls closed to wait for the outcome.

The event was organized by the Committee for Our Students and a Positive Future, a group advocating the passage of the bond. After the election results were announced, school officials and others congratulated one another.

“I'm very excited, glad it's over. A lot of hard work was put into this. It was a little close, too close for comfort, but it came out on the better end for us,” School Board President Tim Higgins said.

The 20-year bond will pay for land, the construction of two new elementary schools, renovations at existing elementary schools including an addition to Meadowlark, and technology upgrades at all schools.

— World-Herald News Service

Holdrege rejects bond issue for schools

HOLDREGE — Voters have decided that now is not the time to build a consolidated elementary school and complete renovations at Holdrege High School.

According to unofficial results from the Phelps County Clerk's Office, with 53 percent voter turnout, 1,648 votes were cast against the $17.3 million Holdrege Public Schools bond issue and 793 people voted for it.

The clerk's office said turnout was higher than for other special elections.

“It's disappointing,” said Superintendent Cinde Wendell, “but the people have spoken, and we respect that. We'll go ahead and continue to work with the facilities we have, continuing to provide the same high level of education that we always have.”

The school district had hoped to build a $10.54 million consolidated elementary building and complete $6.75 million in Phase III renovations at Holdrege High.

— World-Herald News Service

No fluoride in Wakefield's water

WAKEFIELD — Voters in Wakefield have rejected adding fluoride to the town's water supply.

During a special election Tuesday, 135 votes were cast against adding fluoride to the water supply while only eight votes were recorded in support of adding it, said a spokeswoman at the Dixon County courthouse.

Last November, voters approved adding fluoride by a narrow margin. Afterward, many voters said they found the ballot language confusing and asked for another vote.

— World-Herald News Service