Meadow Heights bond issue passing

PATTON, Mo. -- Voters in the rural Meadow Heights School District appeared Tuesday to have approved a $1.5 million bond issue to upgrade the school complex.

Technical problems delayed vote counting in Bollinger County. With most of the votes counted late Tuesday night, the bond issue was passing 434 to 182.

School officials gathered at school board president Dan Tallent's house to celebrate the apparent victory.

"We are very pleased and excited," superintendent Rob Huff said. "It looks very good right now."

He credited the support of the district's parents in the apparent victory.

The measure needed a majority of just over 57 percent to pass.

The bond issue won't require a property-tax increase. The current 35-cent debt service levy and existing fund balances are sufficient to make interest and principal payments on the bonds, school officials said.

The bond issue would allow the district to:

* Upgrade the high school science lab.

* Expand the school cafeteria.

* Convert the existing elementary gymnasium into two classrooms and an added set of rest rooms.

* Expand the high school library.

* Replace the 37-year-old wooden gym floor and the wooden bleachers.

Voters three years ago rejected a $1.9 million bond issue that would have paid for an expanded list of improvements.

Huff said the latest improvement plan was scaled back. He said that may have helped sell it to voters.

"We were able to make a very good case that the projects were necessary." he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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