Johnston School Board Approves Bond Petition; Seeks 525 Signatures

The lucky number is 525 and the prize is a bond election on June 25.

The Johnston school board approved a bond petition Monday night.

If the petition is signed by 525 eligible voters - those who voted in the last election - a special election will be held June 25.

The election would ask voters if they support approving $41 million in general obligation bonds to construct, build, furnish and equip a new high school building and to improve the site.

In December, the Johnston school board voted to once again pursue a new high school and renovation of existing buildings to manage increased enrollment and expand space for educational programs.

The plan, while still fluid in areas, resembles one put forth during a bond issue in September. That issue failed by less than 200 votes.

The revised plan, which comes at an estimated price tag of $112 million, still reflects ideas developed by several community committees.

Signing the petition does not mean a voter is for or against the $41 million bond, but rather that the vote should take place.

The signed petition is due to be presented to the board at the Jan. 28 meeting.

During Monday's meeting, Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said staff members are working under the schedule that if all preliminary work is done, promotion of the bond and a community campaign could begin starting Feb. 1.

"We continue to work with the architect on design features," he said. "We're looking at costing, developing and looking at renderings to be used in the process of promoting the bond issue."

Guthmiller said a community group has formed and is currently meeting to determine the next steps.

"We're hopeful in February to have drafts of promotional material for the board to look at," Guthmiller said. "There's a lot going on, were excited about the opportunity ahead of us. It will be a lot of work but we also know that facilities are a prime piece right now."

Residents in the Johnston Community School District can sign the petition here:
Johnston City Hall – 6221 Merle Hay Road
Johnston High School – 6501 NW 62nd Ave
Johnston Middle School – 6207 NW 62nd Ave
Summit Middle School – 9500 Windsor Parkway
Beaver Creek Elementary – 8701 Lyndhurst Dr.
Horizon Elementary – 5905 NW 100th
Lawson Elementary – 5450 NW 62nd Ave
Timber Ridge Elementary – 7370 NW 54th Ave
Wallace Elementary – 6510 NW 62nd Ave
Johnston Community School District Administrative Resource Center – 5608 Merle Hay Road