The Pekin Community School District Board of Education and Superintendent Dave Harper thanked voters Wednesday after a $9.2 million bond referendum fell short of the required threshold on Tuesday, November 3rd.
The measure received 51% yes votes overall. School bonds in Iowa require 60% approval to pass. In Jefferson County, the measure received 171 yes votes (64.77%) to 93 no votes. In Keokuk County, it received 456 yes votes (50.11%) to 454 no votes.
In a statement, Harper and the board said they respected the outcome.
“The Pekin Community School District Board of Education and staff thank everyone who voted in Tuesday’s bond referendum,” the statement read.
“The $9.2 million bond received 51% yes votes. A school bond in Iowa needs 60% approval, so the measure did not pass. We respect the outcome and the people behind every ballot. This was an honest conversation about our schools, and we are glad so many of you were part of it,” the statement continued.
The board said the needs that prompted the referendum remain.
“The needs we shared have not gone away. The board will review the results, listen to our community, and weigh our options carefully before taking the next step. Thank you to the families, staff and volunteers who worked to help voters understand this plan. We appreciate your time and care,” the statement read.
The statement closed with a message to the community.
“Pekin has always taken care of its own, and that will not change. Thank you for supporting our students,” it read.
For more unofficial results from Tuesday’s election, click here for Jefferson, Van Buren, and Keokuk counties.
