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Voters Reject Mount Pleasant’s $55.8M Bond For Schools In Strong Turnout

?MOUNT PLEASANT, N.Y. -- Though Mount Pleasant School Board President James Grieco is disappointed the proposed $55.8 bond for capital projects was voted down, he was pleased to see the overwhelming number of voters who came to the polls on Saturday, Nov. 15.

A sign on Westlake Drive in favor of the bond proposal, which was defeated on Saturday.

A sign on Westlake Drive in favor of the bond proposal, which was defeated on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Dina Grace Zoe Sciortino

“Obviously I’m disappointed, but I’m happy that we got such a large turnout in regards to people exercising their right to vote which is extremely important,” said Grieco.

There were 1,629 who voted against the bond and 713 who voted for the bond. Click here for a previous Daily Voice story on the bond proposal.

“Although the referendum did not pass, together we will continue the work to achieve a vision of excellence and prepare each student for his or her future,” Superintendent of Schools Susan Guiney said.

Grieco says voters rejected the bond because they may have been intimidated by the price tag, in addition to thinking that some of the projects were too lavish.

The school board president also wanted to thank the individuals who spent time over the last year, studying what projects and renovations need to be made in the district and those who engaged in the district’s steering committee, presentations and facility tours.

“It was a large almost two-to-one vote,” said Grieco. “We have to take that serious and see what wasn’t communicated correctly and what would you like us to do going forward.”

The school district plans to solicit feedback from the community, likely through a survey and ask why people voted yes, why people voted no or why they didn’t vote at all. Other questions, will ask if a Saturday voting day was convenient or not.

“A lot of work has to be done no matter what, going forward we are going to think about what is the best solution,” Grieco told Daily Voice. “We’ll make a decision over the next couple of months, once we have feedback from the community.”

 

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