Schools

Rockwood Voters Reject Bond Issue By Slight Margin

The $43.2 million bond issue failed to pass by just three percent. These results are unofficial, final results.

Proposition R would have enabled the Rockwood School District to borrow $43.2 million through general obligation bonds to make improvements and repairs to multiple school buildings, but this measure did not pass in Tuesday's election—by 54 (against)/46 (for) percent.

YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,579 votes, 53.95 percent
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,470 votes, 46.05 percent

This measure required a four-sevenths, or 57 percent, majority to pass.

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"It is disappointing to lose by such a small percentage," said Rockwood School District Superintendent Bruce Borchers. "It is too early to speculate regarding the impact this will have on our schools. I can assure you we will continue to be fiscally responsible as we meet the needs of our students with our available resources."

Borchers said, "I would like to express my appreciation to our Rockwood community, a majority who voted in favor of the bond issue."

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Rockwood Board of Education President Janet Strate told Patch on Tuesday afternoon that "saving money in the education business meant eliminating people."

Strate said parents can anticipate that some class sizes may have to increase, due to the proposition not passing.

"We'll (the board) have to focus on the most critical things, such as paying for the air-conditioning when school starts in August and fixing leaky roofs of school buildings," she said. "We'll also have to worry about keeping enough in reserves for those unexpected issues."

Strate said there was no immediate 'plan B' approach to adjusting the district's future budget. She said first the superintendent's cabinet would meet to determine what items to recommend cutting. "There are no simple answers, though. The board listens to the cabinet, but we also listen to the public regarding needs and priorities."

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