C-123 gym bond won't be on Nov. ballot

The Jefferson C-123 Board of Education has opted to not place a bond issue that would finance a new high school gymnasium on the November ballot.

A $1.75 million proposal to build a new gym at the Conception Junction campus has been narrowly defeated by voters four times in the last three years.

In August, the bond issue failed to get the necessary 57-percent "supermajority," with patrons voting 210 in favor and 187 against. Roughly 70 percent of registered voters in the district turned out.

To win in November, the same 57 percent margin would be necessary. A two-thirds majority would be needed in February should the board reconsider.

The next chance would be in April, and the measure would again need a 57 percent majority to carry.

The board discussed some concerns over a fifth vote at its meeting Monday, including the larger turnout associated with a general election and the danger of voter fatigue on the gymnasium issue.

Though it may be a while before the question goes back on a ballot, board members and Superintendent Rob Dowis are still adamant that a new gym is needed.

They say the current facility is aging, and board President Ray Meyer argued that now is the time to move forward with capital projects.

"If you are ever going to build it, now is the time," Meyer said. "Interest rates are low, bids are low. Now is really the time to get it done."

Meyers colleagues posed no arguments except for worries about pushing district patrons too hard.

Since starting the quest for a new gym three years ago, Dowis said the need for more space is more apparent than ever, and not just for athletics.

"It has become more obvious to me that the academic part with the elementary is more important," Dowis said. "We have the multi-purpose room, but it's just too small for the kids to get out and run. Plus the gym is used for a lot of different things."

If the measure had been passed, it would have added 89 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Dowis said that it is likely voters will see the bond issue again but not until next year.

"I really expect we will try again, I mean we had a 70-percent voter turnout, and that's great," Dowis said. "And we had over 50 percent in favor. It's unfortunate that it requires the supermajority.

"I hope things turn around. Maybe we can come up with an alternative, something that is a better option for voters."

He added that though the district has made some upgrades, a new facility is still the best option.

"I think that every reason why we needed a new gym before is still there, even though we fixed things," Dowis said. "We just haven't been able to make the gym bigger and safer."

The board also unanimously approved new tax rates during the meeting.

The district's unadjusted property tax rate now sits at $5.94, and the adjusted rate is $5.53 per $100 of assessed valuation, which the board anticipates will produce $739,000 for the 2012-'13 fiscal year.