Source: Tama Co. Auditor/Commissioner of Elections Office Unofficial results: canvas is Mnoday, March 9, 8:45 a.m. by Tama Co. Baord of Supervisors

While in the majority, the vote for a $20.8 million bond issue to pay for a middle school addition to the South Tama High School in Tama was short of the required 60 percent approval. In unofficial results the vote was Yes- 844 No- 722 or 53.9% approval.

If approved, the addition would have replaced the middle school building in Toledo.

A second ballot question asking to allow the school district to annually levy property taxes to exceed $2.70 per $1,000 property value but to not exceed $4.05 per $1,000 met less success Yes- 760 – No- 806 – 48.5% approval with 60% also required for passage.

Voters did approve a third measure for revenue purpose statements which lists uses for funds received from the Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) program. The vote totals were Yes- 861 No- 689 – 55.5% approval. A simple majority was required. This is a one-cent sales tax devoted to all schools and allocated based upon student numbers.

Participation

The voter turnout was 30.4% or 1,581 of the 5,207 registered to vote in the South Tama School District.

Tama County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Laura Kopsa said this was higher than in recent school votes. In an April, 2016, special election approving extending sales tax revenue spending, 11% of registered voters took part. And, in February, 2014, a total of 14% of registered voters cast ballots rejecting for a second time the Physical Property and Equipment Levy (PPEL) also in a special election.

The Tama County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a canvas of the vote on Monday March 9 at 8:45 a.m.

Reactions

South Tama Supt. Jared Smith told staff members in a message he sent out after the vote totals were in, and shared with The News-Herald, “We didn’t get the 60% approval needed to move forward with the new STC Middle School project at this time. While we are disappointed with the results, the reality is that a majority of districts require multiple attempts to pass a bond project of this magnitude.

“You have my word that we will regroup from this setback and our district will emerge stronger than ever. If we continue to have a positive mindset and focus what on we can control, we will do great things for our community. The children of South Tama County deserve better, and we will not rest until our goal of meeting the needs of every student is accomplished.

Adam Todd, rural Tama, who led opposition to the bond vote and public measures told The News-Herald, “The people have spoken. The school’s needs are important, but going forward the goal needs to be to reconcile the school’s needs with what the taxpayers can afford.

“It needs to be done with complete transparency and a respect towards the taxpayers. Decisions will be made that could affect the future of entire cities.

“I hope the future vision can encompass not only the middle school’s obvious needs, but also the best interests of business owners, elderly folks, property owners, the city of Toledo and even the other facilities in the district.”