Putnam County schools’ next steps after voters reject bond referendum

GRANVILLE ( 25News Now ) - The plan to create one campus for Putnam County K through 12 students was sent back to the drawing board after voters rejected a bond referendum aimed at addressing the district's maintenance concerns.

Community Unit School District 535's proposed referendum asked for $34 million in bonds that taxpayers would help pay off.

Superintendent Clayton Theisinger said he knew it was a demanding request.

"It's definitely a setback for the moment, but I don't think it's going to deter us from whatever the plan may be in the future to continue to do better for students," Theisinger said.

Under this bond referendum, for a home worth $150,000, the monthly tax bill would go up $32. That idea didn't sit well with 1,240 voters .

Education leaders wanted to use the $34 million to close two of the four buildings in the district and relocate all students and staff to Putnam County Primary School in Granville. Theisinger said an extension would have been added to the building so all students could be on the same campus. CUSD 535 serves 770 students.

Theisinger said this idea developed after a facilities analysis found $60 million worth of future expenses.

"Knowing that extraordinary cost, the Board of Education and administration decided that maybe we look at alternate options instead of just investing in those projects and present that to the community as an option before we start digging into buildings," he said. "Now that it hasn't passed, we'll go back to the drawing board."

Money set aside, Theisinger believes lifelong residents didn't want to say goodbye to the schools they've known their whole lives.

He said the board of education's next consideration is preserving the elementary school in Hennepin and junior high in McNabb.

"We certainly want to address anything that's critical to keep these schools open, keep our students and staff safe, and provide them with operations in schools that function, so that would be our first task more than anything," said Theisinger.

If the district doesn't revisit the idea of a bond referendum, Theisinger said they always have their eyes open for grant opportunities.