North Callaway R-I voters said "yes" to the $6 million Proposition K.I.D.S. bond issue Tuesday, according to preliminary results from the Callaway County Clerk's Office.
Proposition K.I.D.S. (Keep Improving District Schools) needed four-sevenths, or 57 percent, of the vote in order to pass. It received 1,097 yes votes for 62.83 percent of the vote.
Superintendent Bryan Thomsen said he was "super excited" to get the go-ahead from district patrons on the bond issue.
"(I'm) Thankful to all of our patrons that voted," Thomsen said. "I think this is going to be great for our kids."
Board member Jenny Bondurant echoed Thomsen's statement that district leaders are excited about the vote of confidence.
"We're glad the voters were in agreement with us," Bondurant said. "We're excited to get started on a lot of projects for the district. The bond issue passing means a lot of good things for our kids, for the quality of education we offer."
Responses from voters polled throughout northern Callaway County Tuesday were mixed in their views on the proposed bond issue.
Steve Douglas of Hatton said he supported the bond because his children attend the schools and, "if we don't ever expand - especially on the technology side - we're going to fall behind.
Laura McCray of Williamsburg gave a similar reason for her "yes" vote.
"My daughter went to school there, and at the time they definitely needed a lot of improvements," McCray said. "I think they need a lot of help to keep up with other schools in the area."
Jean O'Neal in Hatton said she voted in favor of the bond because her son is a teacher and coach in the district, and because she felt it was overdue.
"I think it's very important they get it," O'Neal said. "It's about time the school gets changes it's needed for a long time."
Alumnus Ben Grajeda of Auxvasse said he voted to support the bond because after moving into North Callaway High School his senior year from New Jersey, he was "shocked" by the lack of options for classes and extra curricular activities in his new district.
"I voted for it so that anyone who goes there in the future hopefully will get a lot more opportunities," Grajeda said.
Not everyone agreed.
Leon Bussart of Auxvasse said he voted against the bond issue because, "there is other stuff the money can be used toward other than another bus barn - they already have two."
Bruce Campbell in Williamsburg said he voted against the bond issue because he's "not big on the schools."
"I like the thing with the teachers being held accountable," Campbell said, in reference to Amendment 3. "I'd like to see them get the teachers more in line, and then if they need improvements, okay, but I think they need to do one before the other."
Kathy and Doug Clifford of Auxvasse said they didn't support the issue because they don't have children in the district and feel that enough of their tax money goes to the schools.
"We pay a lot of money to the Callaway school district and we don't have any children that benefit from those taxes. I don't mind giving $100 for the kids, but $400 is too much," Doug Clifford said. "I think it should be prorated for people who don't have kids when it comes to education. It's like making the homeless pay property tax when they don't have anything."
Proposition K.I.D.S. allows the district to take out $6 million for school improvements, without a projected increase to the district's existing $0.6622 debt-service tax. Rather than increasing the debt-service levy, the new bond issue will extend the length of time it stays at that level rather than dropping.
Projects included in the bond issue are:
•Construction of a new agri-science building;
•Renovation of existing science classrooms at the high school;
•Construction of a new bus barn/maintenance building;
•Construction of an all-weather outdoor track;
•Acquire land for future expansion;
• Upgrade technology throughout the district;
•Remove asbestos at the high school and Auxvasse;
•Replace old ceiling tiles and grid throughout the district; and
•Upgrade lighting throughout the district.