Voters Approve Mound Westonka School District Referendums

Voters in the Mound Westonka School District have overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving three referendums requesting supplemental funding: an operating levy and the issuance of a pair of maintenance bonds.

The operating levy extends the school district’s current, voter-approved referendum, which was set to expire in 2012. The levy’s new 10-year extension will continue to provide an additional $573.46 annually to each pupil and will not result in new taxes.

Renewal of the operating levy passed with 2,616 voters in favor and 1,414 opposed.

The pair of new bonding requests approved Tuesday by district voters, however, will result in a $132 increase in annual property taxes on an average $300,000 home within the district.

The combined $29.9 million cash infusion generated by the bond issuances will allow the district to upgrade and perform major maintenance to the district’s six facilities—four school buildings, a learning center and transportation building.

The bonding request was presented to voters in two separate questions.

The first sought approximately $23.3 million for improvements to parking lots, roofs, exteriors, mechanical/electrical systems and technology infrastructure. Voters approved the request, which will add about $100 a year in new property taxes to the average home valued at $300,000, by a tally of 2,258 to 1,768.

Approval of second bonding request, which was contingent on the first passing, was a bit closer. Passage of the $6.6 million in bonding will allow the district to update bathrooms, locker rooms, playgrounds, kitchens, athletic field maintenance and building security. The request was approved with 2,122 voters in favor and 1,898 opposed.

School administrators were not immediately available for comment.