$41 Million Bond Issue Set For June 25

Johnston residents will once again be hitting the voting polls on June 25 to determine a bond referendum for the Johnston Community School District.

On Monday, the Johnston Board of Education voted 4-2 to approve a $41 million bond election. Board member Marci Cordaro and John Dutcher opposed the motion.

Cordaro expressed concern with the June election date.

"I know some folks would like to see the date in April," she said.

Organizers with the group Citizens for Quality Johnston Schools, said the June date would give them enough time to have a plan in place for promoting the election.

The board approval came after a petition with 847 signatures was presented to the board.

If successful the funds would be used to build and furnish a new tenth grade to twelfth grade high school.

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The new high school is just one part in a $112 million facilities project that would address over-crowding in the district.

The plan calls for:

• New high school north of 62nd Ave. & west of 100th St. ‐ $81 million - completed in 2016
• Renovation to existing high school to house 8th and 9th grade students ‐ $4 million - completed in 2016
• Renovation of the existing middle school on 62nd Ave. to house elementary students by moving Wallace Elementary to that building, along with district preschool. ‐ $16  million ‐ completed in 2017
• Furniture Fixtures and Equipment ‐ $6 million
• Renovation of the existing Wallace Elementary to meet district needs ‐ $5  million ‐ completed in 2018

Superintendent Clay Guthmiller addressed the issue of phasing the building of a new $8 million stadium.

"We have $5 million earmarked for renovations and move administration to Wallace, that could be delayed," he said. "It's more sensible to have the stadium there than move the central office."

Guthmiller said the stadium would be bid with the entire project.

If the bond passes in June, Guthmiller anticipates construction on the new high school to begin in April 2014.

For additional stories on the Johnston School District bond issue and facility plans see past coverage:

• Where Can You Sign $41 Million Bond Petition?
• Johnston School Board Approves Bond Petition; Seeks 525 Signatures
• Revised Johnston High School Project Could Lower Cost by $10 Million
• Johnston Board Discusses Revamped Construction Plans