Crofton voters reject school improvement plan
CROFTON – An $18.9 million bond issue that would have improved Crofton Community Schools’ educational facilities has been rejected by voters.
According to the official results from the Knox County Clerk’s Office, 711 votes were cast against the public measure during a March 15 special election, while there were 492 votes in favor of it.
The special election was mail-only balloting for registered voters who live within the school district’s boundaries in Cedar and Knox counties.
Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer noted that nearly 70 percent of the voters who reside within the school district’s borders in Cedar County cast ballots on the bond issue.
She added that about 79 percent of the voters who live within the school district’s boundaries in Knox County made their voices heard on the public measure as well.
In Cedar County, 224 votes were cast against the bond issue, while 139 votes were in favor of it. Over in Knox County, there were 487 votes against and 353 votes for it.
Ballots were mailed out on Feb. 22 and were due to the Cedar County Courthouse in Hartington or the Knox County Courthouse in Center by March 15.
Crofton superintendent Chris Look noted that the school district’s board of education and administration appreciate voters for their participation in the special election.
“The voter participation was very high, which is strong evidence of the passion and engagement our district patrons have for important school district issues,” he said.
If the public measure had been approved, it would have helped pay for adding a new elementary school on to the current high school and adding on to some high school areas of need.
The potential building project would have included:
-The expansion of the career and technical education, or agriculture and manufacturing, area.
-The addition of a wrestling/ multipurpose room and two new locker rooms.
-The extension of the weight room.
-The addition of a stage area to be used by both the high school and elementary school.
Look noted that the bond issue would have been $18.9 million over 20 years.
“Over the next few months, the board and administration will need to engage our community once again and continue planning for a solution that addresses the urgent needs of our district and determine our next steps as we know that our needs will not go away,” he said.
Look previously listed off items that are considered urgent needs of Crofton’s current school facilities:
-Safety concerns: Elementary and high school entrances do not meet current security and safety standards.
In addition, the elementary school has handicap accessibility code violations that make it not compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
The elementary school also has noncompliance issues with fire safety codes, such as no sprinkler system.
-Space concerns: The elementary school has special education areas that are not handicap-accessible as well as a substandard nurse station.
Other space concerns include teams are forced to share locker rooms across genders when Crofton is hosting games and there is not adequate room in general for activities – such as ones that use a stage – and athletics, such as wrestling and the space it needs for practices.
-Failing mechanical systems: Plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and lighting require extensive repairs and upgrades at the elementary school.
There also are moisture and drainage issues throughout the elementary school.
In addition, the school district continues to spend money to keep its aging mechanical systems operating.
“We assure you Crofton Community Schools will continue to offer exceptional academics, activities and athletics,” Look said. “We will continue to explore different avenues to improve our facilities and enhance educational opportunities for all students in our district.”