Gilbert School District Voters Approve Bond for High School Expansion Tuesday

Almost 80 percent of Gilbert School District voters approved Tuesday a $4.95 million bond that would expand the new Gilbert High School already under construction.

The measure required a super majority of 60 percent plus one to pass and 78.9 percent of Gilbert voters approved the measure, with 414 voting yes and 111 voting no, according to unofficial returns provided by the Story County Auditor's Office. The voter turnout was 10.8 percent, said Auditor Lucy Martin.

The $4.95 million general obligation bond would help the district add locker rooms, a weight room and classrooms to the school, which is set to open in the fall of 2013.

Though the bond is backed by property taxes, an approval would not increase the district's debt service levy rate, said Gilbert School District Superintendent Lindsey Beecher.

That's because the district's debt service levy is already set at $4.05 per $1,000 assessed valuation, the maximum amount allowed by law.

The district would be able to pay for the project because the district's property tax values have increase allowing them to collect increased revenues, Beecher said.

The school district includes Gilbert and portions of Ames as well as portions of Boone County.

Voters in Collins-Maxwell School District also approved a measure that would changed the makeup of the school board so that two of its five members would be elected at-large rather than by district. That measure passed with a 60 percent majority. Just 39 people voted yes and 26 voted no. A simple majority was required for its passage.