Charles City, Sumner-Fredericksburg Bond Referendums Fail, South Winneshiek’s Approved
For the second time in two years, a bond referendum to pay for renovations and improvements to Charles City High School has failed to pass.
Unofficial results on a $30 million bond measure, which needed a 60% supermajority YES vote to pass on Tuesday (11.04), showed it did not even get a majority vote in favor of approval. Yes votes accounted for 46% of the ballots to 54% for the NO votes.
Superintendent Brian Burnight says the Vote YES Committee of some 100 people worked hard in their efforts to get the referendum passed, noting over 1,000 households reached during their pre-vote canvass. They also hosted some 500 tours of the high school which was built over 65 years ago after the last bond measure to build a school in Charles City passed in 1959.
In a statement issued through the Charles City Community School District Facebook page, Burnight said, “Good morning, while the bond measure did not pass, our commitment to providing safe, functional, and inspiring learning environments remains unwavering. We understand this outcome requires us to pause, reflect, and reassess our strategy. We’ll take the necessary time to look over the community’s feedback, listen actively, and consider our next steps.”
Burnight added, “Our focus remains firmly on doing what is right for our kids every day. We will continue to engage and collaborate with our community to find solutions that responsibly balance our students’ educational needs with the financial realities of our district and our taxpayers.”
His message noted, “For everyone involved in this effort, please keep your head held high. Our mission endures: to ensure every student in the Charles City Community School District has access to the opportunities that prepare them for success, today and in the future. Your Partner in Education, Brian Burnight.”
A $28 million high school bond referendum, which would’ve included a new performing arts auditorium, failed to pass in November 2023 by a margin of 58% NO votes to 42% YES votes.
A $16.5 million bond measure in the Sumner-Fredericksburg School District also failed to pass on Tuesday, also by a count of 46% YES ballots to 54% NO votes.
Voters in the South Winneshiek School District approved a $13 million bond measure, with 68% YES votes to 32% NO votes.
Voters in the North Butler School District approved a PPEL lax levy that will generate about $200,000 a year for 10 years, with 66% of YES votes.
In the Charles City School Board race, unofficial results show incumbents Kathryn Fox, David Schrodt and Josh Mack all winning re-election.
Finalizing results in the New Hampton city and school board elections could take a couple of days. There were no candidates for Ward 2 or Ward 4 for the New Hampton City Council and no candidate names appeared on the ballot for three school board positions due to a filing.
Thus, anyone wishing to vote for any of those positions would have to write-in their selection. While initial results tell how many write-in votes were cast, they do not provide the names of those entered on the ballots. Those write-in ballots must be verified first for relative name accuracy and that they were written in for the correct candidate.
The only contested race in New Hampton was for the At-Large District seat on the school board, with incumbent Tim Denner challenged by Kayla Smith.
**Other area results:
Greene Mayor:
Galen Lindell 139
Kristopher Dralle 138
Warren Van Dyke 90
Floyd Mayor Race:
Charlie Newman…..60
Trevis O’Connell…..31
Joseph Peters……..19
Floyd Council: (apparent winners)
Benjamin Miller
Kevin Krueger
Nashua Mayor Race:
Shelly Weiss……136 (winner)
Teresa Tobin…..107
West Union Mayor Race:
Kent Halverson….212 (winner)
Cam Granger…….169
West Union City Council…At-Large (top two win)
Hunter McElree…..284
Heather Becthold….96
Nora Springs City Council: (top two win)
Marty Coleman……125
Nancy Lund…………76
Clinton Smallwood….63
Lindsay Thorson……59
New Hampton City Council: (no candidates on the ballot)
Ward 2….10 votes
Ward 4…..19 votes
At-Large…..Kerstin Schwickerath unopposed (308 votes)
Charles City City Council: (all unopposed)
Patrick Lumley (1395)
Krista Noah (1420)
Jeff Otto (1686)
Charles City Mayor: (unopposed)
Dean Andrews (597)
Decorah Bond Referendum….$1.3 million for renovating public library
YES….74%
No……26%
Decorah Bond Referendum…$18.8 million for developing municipal facilities for fire protection, city hall and/or parks and recreation department uses, either through new construction or addition/renovation.
YES….42%
NO……58%
Aplington-Parkersburg $16.3 million bond referendum:
YES….60.4% (610)
NO……39.6% (400)
A measure for the City of Nashua to adopt a hotel and motel tax at a 7% rate. Passes…..62% YES to 38% NO
