Capital improvement bond fails in Florida by just three votes

School Board to meet Dec. 20 to decide what’s next Florida — Three votes were the difference between defeat and approval of a $4.8 million capital improvement bond in the Florida School District. Residents voted down the measure 204 to 201. The funds would have been used to upgrade and replace windows, doors, bathrooms, electrical systems, lighting, sidewalks, drainage, a roof and boiler. A major facilities study was completed this year, according to the district, that established the priorities for the improvements. In addition, the district would have received more than half of the funding for the projects from state aid. Now, that is not certain. Douglas Burnside, superintendent of Florida schools, said he was very disappointed in both the result and the turnout. “We usually have 850 total votes and our elections are usually close,” said Burnside. “With the small number of voters here, you can’t help but think many people sat back thinking it would go through. Two hundred no votes is not a groundswell of ‘no’s.” Burnside said the district did get the word out, using meetings, newsletters, articles and its Web site. He also said the money was to be used for repairs that need to be made with or without the bond money. If the district did bond the funds, the state would have kicked in 56 percent of the cost. Now, he said, without a bond, the district will have to pay for it all. “The board will have to determine how to get the district’s needs fixed,” he said, “Unfortunately, what we planned was the most effective way to get it with a 15-year bond and 56 percent in state aid. Plus we would have gotten $275,000 in EXCEL Aid (Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning) too.” Approving the bond would have allowed the district to spend up to $4.8 million to make the repairs and replacements deemed necessary by the facilities study. The district would then receive 56 percent of that money back from the state, as well as the EXCEL Aid. Burnside said the school board will meet Dec. 20 to decide what the next step will be. “It’s not out of the question to have another vote,” said Burnside. “But what is the incentive to the voters? In a general budget election, a board can cut some spending. The public knows the consequences of working under an austerity budget. What we asked for was nothing excessive or extravagant. These are necessary fixes that the district will now have to bear 100 percent over time.” The cost of the bond for the average homeowner was estimated at $4 per month over the 15-year period.