School Bond Issue Fails In Waterloo; Passes In Denver

Bond issues to finance facility projects in two area school districts went on as scheduled, despite wintry weather on Tuesday (Feb. 2, 2016).

Voters in the Waterloo School District overwhelmingly rejected a $47 million referendum, while voters in Denver approved a $7.3 million measure on the third try.

WATERLOO

The unofficial numbers show 56-percent (3,659) of the 6,560 who turned out for the election said "No" to Tuesday's special school bond issue, while 44-percent (2,901) favored the measure. Sixty-percent voter approval was needed for passage.

Waterloo School officials want to use the money to build a new $35 million Career Technical Education (CTE) Center adjacent to Central Middle School. The remaining $12 million — divided equally — would have paid for planned renovations at East and West High Schools.

DENVER

The unofficial tally shows 65-percent of the 864 voters who cast ballots supported the measure, with 482 saying "Yes" and 382 saying "No". The initiative required 60 percent approval to pass.

The referendum will generate funds to build a new gymnasium and performing arts facility on the city’s southwest side adjacent to the district’s athletic complex. The proposed project also includes a weight room and walking/running track.

The measure approve by Denver voters on Tuesday is the same one they narrowly defeated last June. Last year's election results showed the measure fell about a dozen votes shy of passing, garnering 59.1-percent support. In December 2014, a $6.9 million referendum failed with only about 54 percent of the votes cast in favor of the measure.