RAPID CITY, S.D. — A bond intended to pay for the building of new schools and the renovation of others in Rapid City failed at a special election Tuesday.
Unofficial results show 9,287 voted in favor of the bond and 7,211 opposed, or 56.29-percent to 43.17-percent. Although more people voted for the bond, South Dakota state law requires that school bond issues pass by 60-percent plus one vote.
The nearly $189.5 million bond, if approved, would have raised property taxes within the district by 85 cents for every $100,000 of valuation.
Opponents of the bond said they realize there are problems in the aging infrastructure of the district’s schools, but the current proposal was too vague.
Opponent Tonchi Weaver had said voters should have more specifics before approving a tax increase to foot the bill.
“We believe if you’re going to spend this kind of money over this long a term—25 years is a generational debt—then you should at least know the limitations of that spending.”
Weaver adds the website with information about the bond election is run by the school district and only surfaced last fall.
Proponents had disagreed and stated they’ve worked through the process of developing a bond election for years—including a task force and other community feedback meetings.
