DES MOINES, Iowa — Voters across Iowa decided federal and state leadership Tuesday night, but there's more on the ballot this Election Day.
Residents in two Iowa counties weighed in on different bond referendums that would improve school facilities.
Earlham School - Public Measure A
Earlham residents had to decide whether to fund a $10 million bond referendum for school improvements Tuesday night.
The potential improvements for the Earlham Community School District included a career academy, a repurposed tech program in middle school classrooms and a practice facility for both the boy’s and girl’s wrestling programs.
Voters decided against the bond referendum with around 57% of residents voting no. The final tally saw 574 vote "yes" and 756 "no".
The improvements would've raised property taxes by $2.70 per $1,000 of property value.
Jasper County - Public Measure A
A $6.4 million bond was passed by Jasper County residents to make improvements to the secondary roads department.
The project will build a large truck shed for the county’s plow trucks.
Property taxes would’ve not been raised for the improvements, according to the county’s bond projects website.
Residents approved the bond referendum with 58.75% voting yes and 41.25% voting no.
The current secondary shop was built in the 1930s, and then an extension was added in the 1980s, the website says.
“The ability to mobilize from shop to locations within the County is slowed by navigating city streets,” according to the project.
Located outside city limits near I-80, the new proposed shop would allow a quicker response to locations, the bond project website says.
Voters approved a $3.6 million bond referendum for a new administration building in 2021.
Martensdale-St. Mary's School - Public Measure C
Taxpayers in Warren and Madison County approved a bond measure to improve Martensdale-St. Mary’s Community School District facilities.
School officials estimate the plan to cost $16.7 million, but the amount is based on pre-design work.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the bond referendum to an almost 2-1 ratio. 1,229 voted yes while 622 people voted no.
The plan included relocating the softball field, additional entrances, a multi-purpose gym, renovating science rooms and more.
Many of the renovations were touted to improve the safety and security of students.
Approximately $1.7 million from SAVE funds was allocated to the bond referendum, lowering the overall cost to residents.
According to the bond referendum website, property taxes will initially increase no more than $0.41 per $1,000 of property value.
Officials have been working on the project since a series of community meetings in 2023 that evaluated the school district’s future.
Waukee Public Measure FQ
With only 54.9% of the vote and 60% needed, Waukee voters failed to pass a public measure to fund an aquatic center.