Jesup Comm. School District is Getting a Much Needed Face Lift

The $13.9 million bond issue for the Jesup Community School District was approved with over 77% of voters agreeing that it needed to happen.

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Unofficial results from Buchannon and Black Hawk counties showed over three-fourths were in favor of the referendum detailing upgrades, renovations, as well as new additions to the district. Most buildings on the campuses will see new changes with particular attention to the secondary level schools.

A property tax hike will pay for it all over 20 years but administration officials stand by the fact that property owners will not see the district's financial responsibility in the bond.

Many improvements and upgrades have been needed for some time, and the school board brought that list after receiving it from the facilities advisory committee. It was then that they brought the referendum up in December.

James Masteller, Board of Education president, says he's very excited to know that most of the community served by the school district was understanding and for the upgrades, despite the tax hike.

"It makes me feel really good (about) what we did at the board to have that much support. There's nothing better as a community to invest our money in as our kids."

There were a total of 680 ballots cast between both counties. In Buchanan County, there were 425 "yes" votes and 124 voting "no" and in Black Hawk, 102 "yes" and 29 "no" votes. The bond needed 60% approval for passage and the total percentage was 77.5%.

An existing bond issue approved by voters in 2003 will be paid off this spring, showing that district officials have been financially responsible, and paying off the current bond early, helped the passage of the recent bond.

For more of the story and results, including planned projects that will be paid for by the bond, read more at The WCF Courier.