Several eastern Iowa schools were hoping to pass bond issues Tuesday night for upgrades or new schools.
Linn-Mar voters approved a $55 million bond issue. It got 66% support. The district will build two new fifth and sixth grade schools to relieve overcrowding at other schools.
The new schools will start immediately, followed by construction. The schools are set to open for the 2020-21 school year.
This is the second time Linn-Mar has tried to pass a bond issue. Last year, voters rejected a similar one.
A $15 million bond issue in the Monticello school district also passed with nearly 71% support. This money is going toward building a new middle school that would be connected to the high school.
Monticello's superintendent says the current middle school building is too big for the amount of students it serves and it was built without technology in mind, so wires are sticking out of the ceiling.
84% of voters in eight northeast Iowa counties voted to continue a bond levy to support upgrades to Northeast Iowa Community College. The $39 million generated from this levy is helping NICC add security cameras, update labs and classrooms, and improve energy efficiency.
Voter turnout was 4% in the NICC bond issue vote.
Voters in Bellevue rejected a $16 million bond referendum. Bond votes need a 60% supermajority to pass and 56% voted no.
This money would have built a new elementary school in the Jackson County community.
Turnout was 54% of eligible voters in Bellevue.