Tea, SD (KELO AM) – Voters in the rapidly growing Tea School District have approved one bond measure and shot down another following results of Tuesday’s election.
According to unofficial numbers released Tuesday night, 72% of voters said yes to adding on new classrooms and secure entrances to existing buildings, well above the 60% required to pass the issue. The second vote for a new 800 seat auditorium was defeated by 12 votes at 59.1% yes.
District superintendent Dr. Jennifer N. Lowrey said she is relieved that the district will finally get some help in getting all of their students under one roof. “At the middle school-high school, we’re using 5 stick buildings for classrooms. That will allow us to not use those buildings and have all our children under brick and mortar” said Dr. Lowrey. She added that stick buildings used for elementary students would also be phased out as part of the expansion of that building.
As for the issue that was rejected, Lowerey said it would have funded an 850 seat auditorium without a balcony, as was included in pervious votes. She said after pushing 4 votes in just over a year the district will “take a break from elections for a while, and be very grateful for the passage of the elementary classrooms”
Once the school board certifies the results later this week, construction on the expansions is expected to begin following the current school year. Dr. Lowrey said she expects construction to be completed by January of 2016, with the additions integrated by the fall of ’16.