St. Ignatius school district votes against bond initiative

A bond initiative that was on the ballot for the May 3 election for Mission School District to pay for necessary repairs, remodels and much-wanted additions failed. 

The results came in with 235 votes in favor and 417 votes against the initiative. 

The initiative would have levied taxes on homes in the $100,000, $200,000 and $300,000 ranges with increases of $147.36 per year, $294.72, per year, and $442.08 per year, respectively. 

The improvements and repairs include, but are not limited to, new gym/multipurpose/weight room, new locker rooms for boys and girls, and a new roof on the elementary school. Other improvements and repairs included ceiling repairs, a new air exchange system in the old gym, new bathrooms in the high school lobby, a new shop, repairs to the family and consumer science room, repairs to tables and desks, repairs to windows, repairs to the library, updates to bathrooms and existing locker rooms, tennis court replacement, bleacher repairs, expansions the music room, and updates or fixes to maintenance equipment. 

Although the initiative failed, St. Ignatius School District Superintendent Jason Sargent said repairs will need to happen anyway. “We wouldn’t have ran it if we didn’t have the needs.”

In-lieu of money coming in from the proposed bond levy, St. Ignatius School District will use its money from the Impact Aid fund to attend to the schools’ maintenance needs. According to Sargent, the Impact Aid funds are usually geared towards teacher salaries, supplies, and other cirriculum needs but, “The facility needs aren’t going away,” Sargent said. 

The initiative will be put on next year’s school elections ballot on May 2, 2017. Sargent said he will continue to work with the St. Ignatius District constintuency in hopes that they will be able to find a plan that will suit the community and the needs of the schools. “We want to strive for a consensus among the community.”