Polson school bond votes fail

Voters in the Polson School District have rejected two bond issues for the elementary and high schools.

Ballots were due back Tuesday and voters overwhelmingly said no to both.

The high school bond was voted down 2,092 to 1,370 while the elementary bond was rejected 1,690 to 1,447.

According to information from the Polson School District, the elementary school bond would have raised $30.4 million and the high school bond would have produced $30.6 million for school renovations and to “provide 21st century academic and community opportunities.”

Polson Superintendent of Schools Rex Weltz said he was disappointed with the outcome, but felt the school district would come back with another plan.

“If the [school] board chooses to move forward, we could have another bond request within a year from now,” Weltz said.

Weltz said the current requests would have answered all of the district’s needs.

“Although it failed, and we’re happy that so many voted, we can’t ignore the needs,” Weltz said.

He identified two of the critical issues as being the heating systems in the schools and the high levels of carbon dioxide in the Cherry Valley and Linderman schools.

“The CO2 levels are unhealthy for our students,” Weltz said. “And we’ve had to leave windows and doors open to get fresh air inside. And that leads to security issues in the schools.

“We’ll work with our community and see what is best for everyone,” he added.

According to information on the school’s website, the Cherry Valley School was built in 1956 while Linderman was built in 1948. The middle school was completed in 1991. The high school was built in 1972.

School district information indicated that the tax increase on the elementary bond for a home valued at $100,000 would have been $89.88 and for a $200,000 home would have been $179.76.

The annual tax increase on the high school bond for a home valued at $100,000 would have been $65.04 and for a $200,000 home, $130.08.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.