Colton voters sink school bond

Colton/Uniontown voters Tuesday struck down the $5.l6 million bond proposal for remodeling the school. Preliminary results from Tuesday night’s returns showed 197 yes votes for a 52.12 percent approval rate, almost eight percent short of the 60 percent needed for approval.

“We’re disappointed - that’s for sure. There still are some votes out so I guess we still have a little bit of a chance,” said Colton Superintendent Nate Smith.

The school would have to receive 69 percent approval from the 339 ballots not included in Tuesday’s count. That equates to 234 yes votes.

Backers have spent the past two months plugging the $10.2 million project.

Voters were asked to approve a $5.1 million 20-year bond which would have been matched with a $5.86 million state grant as part of a modernization matching fund program through the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The remodeling would have enlarged classrooms, upgraded the electrical, plumbing and heating systems, enlarged the school gym, increased the capability for technology and built a main entry that was more easily monitored.

The proposal would have cost taxpayers an estimated $3.23 per $1,000 of assessed value.

“I think it was an economic situation. I think it was a pretty high cost per thousand at $3.23- even though it was basically a 50/ 50 split with the state of Washington,” Smith said. He said he believes the tough economy weighed heavily on the minds of voters.

Smith said the next step is for the school board and capital projects committee to discuss the failure. From there, they could potentially put a revised proposal on the next ballot or pursue other options, he said.

The remodeling would have enlarged classrooms, upgraded the electrical, plumbing and heating systems, enlarged the school gym, increased the capability for technology and built a main entry that was more easily monitored.

The proposal would have cost taxpayers an estimated $3.23 per $1,000 of assessed value.

“I think it was an economic situation. I think it was a pretty high cost per thousand at $3.23- even though it was basically a 50/ 50 split with the state of Washington,” Smith said. He said he believes the tough economy weighed on the minds of voters.

Smith said the next step is for the school board and capital projects committee to discuss the failure. From there, they could potentially put a revised proposal on the next ballot.