RIVERSIDE

One week after an election apparently provided the number of votes needed for passage of a $15 million bond referendum, Highland’s school district was still waiting for a thumbs up, or down, sign.

The trouble is this: a number of Washington County voters who weren’t supposed to get a vote on the bond referendum instead got a vote because they received the wrong ballot. The ballots in question went to county residents who weren’t also residents of Highland’s school district, which stretches from Riverside down to Ainsworth and through rural areas.

The vote count gave the school district the needed 60% yes votes for passage, although it was close. Washington County’s numbers show a 61.04% approval rate, with 1,302 voting in favor of the bond referendum and 831 voting against it.

A small number of Highland district residents are also in Johnson and Louisa counties. In Johnson, the referendum passed. In Louisa County, two of three voters went against it.

“What I have been told, nobody was denied the chance to vote,” said Ken Crawford, Superintendent of Schools.

The question is, what now?

Washington County Supervisors completed their canvass of votes Wednesday.

While talk of a special election has surfaced, it may take a petition to knock down the referendum vote and create a special election or send it to a district court for a ruling.

“You have so many people working towards one goal and it’s for the goal of the kids and the community and for the school district and it feels like. … It feels like we did what we needed to do and got the percent we needed to get,” Crawford told The News.

“And now it’s just up in the air.”

The bond would finance the building of a multi-purpose center, and expanded locker rooms and cafeteria space at Highland High School, and expanded classroom space at Highland Elementary.

The bond is meant to replace a $3.7 million bond that will be paid off by July 1, 2025, which is when payments for the new bond issue would start. Crawford said the $3.7 million bond, scheduled for eight years, is being paid off in five.

A facilities advisory committee toured other districts, including West Branch and Monticello, to look at facilities. A number of public meetings were held.

The proposed multi-purpose center at Highland would be used for large events and athletic teams, and include expanded locker rooms. An open commons area at the high school would replace the current cafeteria and front lobby. The funds would also allow for a renovation of the front area of Highland Elementary and the addition of four classrooms.

“I feel like we’re in a good spot,” Crawford told School Board members at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night.