Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ALBION, Neb. (AP) — School officials in north-central Nebraska are pushing for a nearly $13 million bond issue aimed at renovating the district's school buildings.
Boone Central Public Schools officials have been asking voters to learn about the proposal ahead of the Nov. 4 election, the Columbus Telegram reported (http://bit.ly/1ta9CI9 ) Saturday.
"We want people to be educated on the issues so they can make an informed decision," Boone Superintendent Cory Worrell said. "That's our focus right now."
The plan calls for an addition and extensive renovation of the high school and elementary school in Albion. That includes a new kitchen, offices and handicapped-accessible bathrooms, as well as a new commons area, new gym, locker rooms, training area, wrestling deck and fitness area.
The high school science rooms and a section of the elementary school also would be renovated, along with adding fire sprinklers to the building and securing the entrances at the middle school in Petersburg.
School officials say the bond proposal — an 11-cent levy for every $100 of assessed property value — would save local taxpayers money. If it doesn't pass, officials say, the district will maintain the existing 14-cent levy to begin making some of the improvements.
In 2012, Boone Central voters soundly rejected a nearly $21 million plan that would have built a new high school and remodeled the existing high school for middle schoolers.
If voters approve the bond issue, construction would begin in the spring, and officials hope the work would be finished in about two years.
___
Information from: Columbus Telegram, http://www.columbustelegram.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
