Center Point-Urbana superintendent disappointed that voters rejected bond

Voters in the Center Point-Urbana Community School District rejected Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, a $9.8 million bond referendum to complete a second phase of construction on Center Point-Urbana High School.

Only 47.15 percent of votes cast were in support of the referendum, which needed 60 percent to pass, according to the unofficial results from Linn County Election Services. The measure failed by a 53-vote margin, with 21.69 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the special election.

"Obviously, in my shoes, I was disappointed," said Superintendent Alan Marshall. "I'm sure there were a lot of people that were disappointed."

Had it passed, the money would've gone toward adding an auditorium and industrial arts classroom to the high school, as well as storage spaces, a wrestling room, weight room, auxiliary gym and a locker room -- areas not included in phase one construction of the new high school, which opened in 2011, because of a lack of funding.

Marshall said he was unsure why the measure failed and said the school board's plans were to analyze turnout to answer that question. The superintendent also said that he foresees taking another bond referendum to voters some time in the future to complete the high school.

"What shape it will take will be a result of us getting input from patrons," he said. "That's not a decision we're going to make anytime soon.”

In the meantime, high school industrial and fine arts programming will continue to be held at Center Point-Urbana Middle School.