CHAFFEE VOTERS OK SCHOOL BOARD ISSUE

CHAFFEE -- Chaffee voters authorized their school board to issue $1.45 million in bonds to build additional classrooms and make school improvements at Tuesday's election.

Nearly three-fourths of those voting approved the bond issue by a 289-102 vote. The measure required a 57 percent approval of votes cast.

Property owners have a $3.60 adjusted tax rate per $100 assessed valuation. Of that amount, 85 cents is for a debt service levy. The bond issue will not increase taxes.

Superintendent Dr. Bob Biggs said the bond issue is needed because space is cramped for the district's 620-plus students. Money from the sale of the bonds would be used to add restrooms, a new library and media center, two sixth-grade classrooms and a computer lab at the elementary school.

"It's always nice to ask voters to do something that won't require an increase in taxes," said Biggs. "Everyone I talked to seemed to understand what we were trying to do."

The additional room at the elementary school would eliminate the need for two modular classrooms in use, while planned improvements at the high school would also mean building three additional classrooms. The other classrooms would house an alternative education computer lab and special education class.

Other improvements to the high school would include the addition of public restrooms and a concession stand at the football stadium. A multipurpose room with a kitchen would also be added to relieve scheduling problems and provide a lunchroom for secondary students.

Voters also elected two school board members. Debbie Simmons received the largest number of votes with 336. Incumbent Bob Sullivan was second with 255 votes. A third candidate, Philip David Groves, received 114 votes.

Candidates running for city council positions were unopposed. Elected were Donald Crowe in Ward 1, Bob Sullivan in Ward 2, Robert Harris in Ward 3 and Jack Nordin in Ward 4.

Some 16.5 percent of the 2,371 registered voters in Chaffee turned out for the election.