by Mary Rupert
Piper School District voters approved a new $35 million bond issue to build a new elementary school by nearly 70 percent Thursday.
The unofficial vote was 1,532 in favor of the bond issue to 676 against it.
“Major appreciation to the administration, Board of Education, staff and community committee and voters for supporting the bond issue,” Superintendent Tim Conrad said. “The bottom line is our kids win. It’s a big win for our kids and the future of our district tonight.”
It was a combination of everyone working together for the betterment and future of the kids, he said.
“I can’t express my appreciation enough for the efforts of everybody and the future of our district,” he said.
“To win by a 70 percent to 30 percent margin speaks for itself, there was tremendous support, and I think our community spoke to our need and invested in the future of our students,” Conrad said. “It’s not only just a win, but a huge statement of support for our district.”
“I’m just ecstatic and this is such a great win for our kids and their future,” said Ashley Biondi, Piper School Board vice president.
The new third-to-fifth grade elementary school will be built at 131st and Leavenworth Road, with plans for completion by 2020. The building will address overcrowding and growth in the district.
There was a 27 percent voter turnout in the district, a total of 2,209 votes counted. Election Day, Feb. 22, was marked by school cancellations with freezing rain during the day, although the weather cleared in the late afternoon.
On June 9, 2015, Piper voters defeated a $67 million bond issue for new schools. Fifty-five percent voted against it, and a total of 3,265 ballots were cast in 2015. With the passage of the $35 million bond issue, property taxes may go up about six mills, or about $15.07 a month on a $250,000 home.