Voters in the California, Linn and Eldon school districts overwhelmingly passed bond issues to finance school improvements on Tuesday. Two of the issues garnered more than 75 percent approval.
In the Moniteau County R-1 School District at California, voters approved a $4 million bond issue by a vote of 1,044 yes to 343 no.
The bonds will finance construction and improvements, including an addition to the high school agriculture building, installation of intercom and security systems, renovation of middle school locker rooms, air conditioning system changes, improvements to the high school athletic complex, technology upgrades and other projects.
In the Eldon R-1 School District, voters approved a $5.6 million bond issue by a vote of 836 yes to 268 no.
Those bonds are expected to finance construction and equipping of a tornado safe room and early childhood learning center, which will be supplemented by funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as paying for safety and security equipment, a new gym floor, additional parking, renovation of the fine arts auditorium, technology upgrades, heating and cooling system improvements, bus garage improvements and other projects.
Although it didn't reach the 75 percent approval gained in Eldon and California, a $7.34 million bond issue in the Osage R-2 School District at Linn passed handily with a 62 percent majority. 605 voters approved the proposition while 365 rejected it.
Construction of a new elementary school, administrative offices and an auxiliary gymnasium are at the top of the list of school improvements in the package at Linn. They also include expanding existing buildings to consolidate facilities, expanding the agriculture/art building and shop, and adding safety and security measures.