News : School election: Voters approve revenue purpose statement; elect Timmermans

In an election with no contested board seats and a referendum that had nothing to do with new taxes, there was a very low turnout. But those Vinton-Shellsburg voters who did go to the polls on Tuesday overwhelmingly (264-21) voted in favor of letting the VS School Board have the authority to spend option tax revenue.

Voters also elected Mike Timmermans, who ran unopposed to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Todd Wiley. Timmermans, who had been appointed by the board in December, ran unopposed and received 258 votes. The election will become official when canvassed by the Benton County Board of Supervisors.

"I am very pleased with the results of the special election," said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock. To have over 90% of the voters approve the revenue purpose statement language is a very positive statement of our communities’ support for our students and our school district."

Every person who voted in Garrison supported the new language, observed the superintendent.

"The results indicate the strong support and confidence our voters have in our school board to make decisions about spending the 1-cent local option sales tax to best meet the needs of our students," says Hainstock. "When the board refinanced the bonds for the new high school and additions to other buildings, they were able to save our taxpayers $1.3 million dollars which will be over $100,000 per year."

The superintendent continued discussing future needs.

"We will continue reviewing the needs of our district and prioritizing them. We have on-going roofing requirements and need to continue replacing our school busses in a timely manner. We are also considering how we meet our students’ learning needs including the purchase of technology tools. We have other needs as well including upgrading our security systems, providing more air conditioning in two of our buildings, continuing to replace carpet and tile, purchasing new musical instruments, and purchasing new desks and chairs for our students. The vote authorizes us to determine which local needs have the highest priority to fund," said Hainstock.