Fully Predictable Resultstm

Ballot Issue

1969-May-13 The school ballot had two questions: Shall the School District issue bonds and build a new high school? Shall the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, issue bonds in the sum of $4,900,000 for the purpose of building and furnishing a high school building in and for said School District? Shall the School District raise property taxes to pay the interest and debt on those bonds? Shall the Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District in the County of Scott, State of Iowa, be authorized to levy annually a tax exceeding ten (10) mills, but not exceeding fifteen (15) mills, on the dollar of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within said school corporation to pay the principal of and interest on bonded indebtedness of said school corporation, it being understood that the approval of this proposition shall not limit the source of payment of the bonds and interest but shall only operate to restrict the amount of bonds which may be issued?

And what do you think was the outcome of the vote?

Naturally, the public favored a new school building more than they favored paying additional taxes. The vote was 2389 votes for, 1640 against (or 59.195%) to issue bonds and build a new high school. However, the vote was only 2173 votes for, 1913 against (or 53.182%) to raise the school tax levy in order to the make the interest and principle payments on those bonds.

As a sixty percent (60%) vote was required to approve each ballot question, the issue failed. Had just 29 more people said YES (instead of NO) to the first question ... The School District would have been obligated to issues bonds and build the new high school, while being prohibited from raising the tax levy to make the payments. The School Board was saved by the  -- by 29 votes.