Highland school bond issue may go back to voters at later date

AINSWORTH — A $15 million bond issue for building improvements in the Highland school district appeared to show a favorable outcome this week, but the result won’t end up deciding whether the district can take on the debt.

Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer said those results are probably null after some constituents living in the district were not given ballots that included a question about the proposed bond measure.

“We’re investigating, but it appears there were some voters that received the incorrect ballot,” he said. “I need to do some research and do some more conversations with the secretary of state’s office, but it is likely we will need to do something in the future, as soon as possible … It will not be a recount or anything like that, it will be a brand-new election.”

The $15 million ask would have paid for a new multipurpose facility, secure entrances at the elementary building, and an upgraded commons area for the high school, as well as new classrooms and locker rooms. It would have taken about 20 years to pay off, according to district officials, but would not have raised taxes beyond the $2.70 debt service levy needed to pay for the district’s last bond, a $3.7 million debt approved in 2019.

Unofficial election results from Washington, Johnson and Louisa counties Tuesday night and Wednesday morning appeared to show 1,361 people voted for the bond, while 861 voted against it. Those results showed the bond received 61 percent of the vote, just above the 60 percent threshold needed to approve it.

Highland Superintendent Ken Crawford said he was disappointed with the delay, and worried about mobilizing voters in a second, stand-alone election for the bond issue, especially if it’s later in the winter with colder temperatures and difficult travel conditions.

“A lot of work has gone into that one vote to get everybody convinced and everybody out,” he said. “Trying to get everybody to vote again, I think, will be a challenge for everybody involved … but we’re hoping everybody can continue to see the value of the bond issue for the students and for our staff.”

There are about 500 students in the Highland Community School District, which is south of Iowa City and includes the Riverside and Ainsworth communities.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com