St. Helena voters reject school bond issue

• By DAVID J. MITCHELL
• Advocate Florida parishes bureau
• Published: Jul 20, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

GREENSBURG — St. Helena Parish voters rejected on Saturday a 25-year, $20.4 million bond issue for a new school complex for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, complete but unofficial elections returns show.

The proposition fell 384 votes short of passage.

The election loss came despite an extensive effort by school backers to approve the bond issue. A previous attempt failed in October, and uncertainty remains about the district’s future management because of past academic struggles.

Elijah Harvey Jr., School Board president, said Saturday night that he appreciated the efforts of those who supported the tax effort.

“At this time, I don’t want to make comment, not right now, but our children still deserve better schools,” he said.

“No” votes led “yes” votes 1,536 to 1,152, or 57.14 percent to 42.86 percent, returns show.

Voter turnout was 30.5 percent. In rejecting the bond issue, voters shot down an estimated 37-mill property tax to back the school bonds.

School officials have said the three schools serving St. Helena Parish’s 1,280 public school students are old. Officials and have argued that a consolidated campus also can improve academic performance.

In January, determined to try a better information campaign but with the threat of a state takeover looming, a divided School Board voted to seek the bond issue again after the 25-year, $18.9 million 40-mill bond issue failed Oct. 20 by 210 votes.

Last week, Linda Coleman, a former school system employee and past political candidate, said she and other members of the “St. Helena Posse” knocked on doors and passed out fliers to support the tax. The “Posse” includes about 20 of her relatives.

Amid this effort, though, school official await school performance scores due next month that will determine whether all three schools are to be taken over by the state.

School officials have estimated that improved scores mean only St. Helena Central Middle School would be eligible for the state Recovery School District.

During the late morning and lunchtime Saturday, school officials held a “Back-to-School Bash” at St. Helena Central High School in Greensburg. Volunteers, school employees and area social service agencies prepped parents and students for the new school year, which starts Aug. 12.