SCHOOL BOND ISSUES APPROVED IN OAK RIDGE, SCOTT CITY

Voters in two area school districts approved financing for expansion efforts during elections Tuesday.

Oak Ridge and Scott City school districts received well over the 57.14 percent supermajority required for passage of proposed bond issues, earning 62.41 and 61.97 percent approvals, respectively.

Scott City voters approved a $3.5 million bond issue in a 497-305 vote for construction of 20 new classrooms, a multipurpose building for athletic classes and a new industrial technology building.

The measure, which required a 49-cent tax increase, also covers costs to renovate the former industrial arts area into an expanded elementary school library; turn the former library into an expanded art classroom; and remodel the current elementary multipurpose room for use as a cafeteria.

Schools superintendent Roger Tatum said the measure will have a big impact on teachers, the board and administrators in the next few years to help reduce class size and start additional programs they need.

"This will take us through the next 10 to 15 to 20 years," he said.

Voters in the Oak Ridge district said yes in a 269-162 vote to a 30-cent tax increase that will finance a new middle school for grades six through eight. The $1.95 million measure also covers construction of a new multipurpose building for band and athletic programs.

School officials had some anxious moments as they tallied election returns from each of the district's precincts at the Cape Girardeau County Adistrative Building in Jackson. With each new return, supporters either groaned or patted each other in relief.

"Five generations of my family have gone to that school," said Jo Ann Hahs, who served as the district's campaign committee chairwoman. "I'm a hard-core supporter, and "considering that the districts around us have not been successful in passing a bond issue the first time around, sure we were nervous."

Oak Ridge schools superintendent Cheri Fuemmeler said she was pleased with the election's outcome even though the results were closer than the district has experienced in the past.

Six years ago, 87 percent of voters approved financing for construction of a new high school. The measure did not require a tax increase.

"The economy's changed a lot since that time, and there are a lot of new people in the district," Fuemmeler said. "I think everybody's a little hesitant about the tax increase."

Laura Johnston contributed to this report.