SCOTT COUNTY R-IV VOTERS SAY NO AGAIN TO SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND ISSUE

BENTON -- Mobile homes will remain in place as classrooms in the Kelly School District. Voters in the Scott County R-IV School District turned down a $1.6 million bond issue that would have allowed for new school facilities and equipment.

The issue was defeated 217 to 173 voted yes.

Scott Sander, president of the Kelly R-IV school board, said he was extremely disappointed in the vote.

"We are in dire need of new classroom space to provide adequate facilities," he said. "But the voters have spoken."

Sander said four mobile classrooms will remain in place for this school year.

He said the school district will need to keep asking for additional funds.

"We are going to have to do something. We are out of space."

Sander said the mobile classrooms are costly.

"The mobile classrooms are leased; it's money out the window. It costs the district $15,000 for four classrooms for one school year."

He said the cost only reflects the leasing and not the cost of setting up and other expenses, including electric.

Sander said the approximate increase in taxes for a voter who has property appraised at $50,000 would have been $35 a year.

Voter turnout for Tuesday's election was a little over half of the previous vote for the bond issue in April.

Sander said he had been optimistic about this vote.

"I thought being the only issue on the ballot it would pass; I thought that would be a plus," he said.