Pleasant Valley Delays School Bond Election

Citing a lack of time to organize an effective campaign, members of the Pleasant Valley school board agreed Thursday to delay a special $55-million bond election from March until June.

After two failed bond election attempts in 1991, board members said they were leery of setting another election without proper preparations.

None of the board’s five members, however, denied the need for funds to build three elementary schools and modernize aging buildings, many older than 30 years, in the 14-school, 6,900-student district.

The issue came before the board because the district must give notice to county election officials this month if it plans to hold a special bond election in March.

“We just don’t want to take a chance and fail again,” school board member Jan McDonald said. “Personally, I would favor trying for a June special election. It would give us the time we need.”

McDonald added that the decision was not based solely on campaign logistics. With the possibility of one or both of the county’s two Navy bases turning up on a federal base closure list March 1, it makes sense to delay a special election until then, she said.

“Obviously, our county’s economy will be in serious trouble if they close one of the bases,” she said. “Running an election right at that time would be a mistake in my opinion.”

Officials said base closings could also reduce the number of students in the district.

But based on community meetings and phone surveys, district officials say they believe 1995 could be their year to see a bond measure approved by voters.

Howard Hamilton, the district’s associate superintendent, said though both 1991 bond measures were defeated, they garnered more than 60% of the vote in each contest. Bond elections require a two-thirds vote.