Jackson bond issue fails; officials consider April ballot

Jackson does not have its new high school -- yet.

A majority 56.38 percent of voters said yes to a $27 million bond issue to renovate and expand the aging high school, but that wasn't enough for the measure to pass. It required a four-sevenths majority.

It was enough, however, for school officials to assure that the issue will be put on a future ballot.

"You never want to say a loss is good, but to come within 100 votes when you're asking for $27 million is good," said Gerald Adams, president of the Jackson School Board.

This was the measure's first time on the ballot, and it needed at least 57.14 percent of votes to pass. A total of 7,803 voters approved the issue; 6,037 voted against it. Of the 18 precincts that voted on the bond issue, those in outlying, rural areas were most heavily in opposition.

Jackson superintendent Dr. Anderson said the district will likely continue with tours of the current high school facilities and consider placing the issue on the April ballot.

"The turnout tells us it's a good project," Anderson said. "It's not something people don't want to support. Most politicians would be delighted to get 56 percent."

School officials said the tours of the high school that have been ongoing for the past two months likely influenced voters the most.

That was true for Donna Schuette of Jackson, who voted yes on the issue because she's seen the state of the current facilities.

"I voted yes because I have two children in elementary school. I want them to have a nice high school when they get there," Schuette said.

Others, such as Mike LaGree of Jackson, voted against the issue because of the money it involved.

"Nationwide, we spend twice the amount Japan does per capita and we're 50th in math and science in the world and they're No. 1. But they keep asking for more money," LaGree said.

The bond issue would have meant a property tax increase of 67 cents per $100 assessed valuation for Jackson residents.

Plans for the new school would include a new two-story classroom building, agribusiness building, library, cafeteria and events center. Also in the plan, the current C Building would be renovated and most of the campus would be joined under one roof.

Had the issue passed, the design for the school would have been finalized by next fall, with actual construction beginning in the spring of 2006 and possibly wrapping up by the 2008-2009 school year.