Toso: more voters were needed in bond election

Jamestown (CSi) With the Jamestown Public Schools, $19 million bond referendum failing to muster the 60 % majority of “yes” votes needing to pass the Jamestown Public School board will be reviewing possible plans to another vote.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, JPS Board member, and former JPS Superintendent, Bob Toso said, the school board retreat on Monday will include discussions on the topic, which may include a possible re-count of the vote, and what direction the school district needs to take in regard to a possible placing the issue on another election ballot.  By law another vote can not be taken for another six months, from the September 29, 2015 vote.

Toso said, school officials will again be talking to supporters of the bond, and later determine what items may be included on an upcoming vote.

Toso feels that not enough voters turned out, 1,951, especially those supporting the bond issue, to reach a 60% majority of “yes” votes.

He noted that the two public meetings were held prior to the vote, and  were not well attended.

He pointed out that Superintendent Lech was out in the community explaining the issues, and appeared in the media, including twice on CSi Cable’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, getting out information on what a yes vote would approve, and why the issues were important to Jamestown Public Schools, and included tax implications. The JPS web site also contained a number of issues, and explanations.

Voters on September 29^th were asked whether to approve $19 million in general obligation school-building bonds for school construction and renovations at elementary and middle schools.

If approved, Superintendent Rob Lech says, the proposal would have continued the 21.1 mills currently levied to help pay for building Jamestown High School and remodeling Jamestown Middle School that is slated to expire this year. The proposal would also would have add another 3.71 mills or roughly a $19 per-year property tax increase beyond the current levy.

With the failure to reach a 60% majority of “yes” votes the current high school levy drops off when it’s repaid this year and property owners will see an approximately $96 annual reduction in property taxes.