Bond election

Voters narrowly reject $23 million school renovation proposal

LAUREL — Local voters rejected a $23 million bond proposal last Tuesday for facility improvements at the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School.

LCC patrons in Cedar, Dixon and Wayne counties all rejected the proposal by narrow margins.

Cedar County voters were against the plan by a 645-611 margin. In Dixon County, the proposal was rejected by a 136-123 margin.

LCC Supt. Jeremy Christiansen said he was grateful for all of the work area volunteers put in to examine the current facilities and put together and promote the bond proposal.

“On behalf of the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Board of Education, I want to thank all of our school district patrons who were a part of the school facility bond proposal study, development and campaign effort,” Christiansen said. “It has been humbling to see the large number of families and community members who support the local school system in so many ways.

Christiansen said the Board understands the public’s position, but the facility is still in need of upgrades

“The Board of Education respects the decision of our school district patrons as it relates to this specific proposal,” he said. “The unfortunate reality for LCC School is that the needs identified through the facility assessment and community focus group process still exist, while the ability for our school district to pay for those needed improvements through the general operating budget does not.”

Christiansen said most of the school funds are going toward the day-to-day operation of the school, so funds for improvements are simply not in the current budget.

“It’s important to note that 85 percent of the school’s operating budget is dedicated to salaries, utilities, general maintenance and transportation, leaving the district limited resources to dedicate to capital facility improvement projects or major renovations,” he said. “As some of the supporters of the school bond have noted during community forums, the cost of addressing needed facility improvements will be greater in the future than they would be today.”

Christiansen said the Board of Education and district leadership will review the election results, listen to LCC School voters and residents, and “develop a comprehensive plan to ultimately address our school facility needs now and into the future.”

At Monday’s School Board meeting, Christiansen told Board members they will need to discuss options for responding to the results of the election and to address the continued needs identified in the facility planning study.

LCC School Bond Issue

For 611

Against 645

Cedar County Results

For 3

Against 6

Wayne County Results

For 123

Against 136

Dixon County Results

For 737

Against 787