St. Regis and Alberton schools hold elections to secure bonds

MINERAL COUNTY – The Alberton and St. Regis School Districts held elections May 6 for proposed bond levies while the Superior Schools levy won’t be decided until the June 3 primaries. 

Alberton was seeking a $250,000 building reserve levy for various maintenance projects for the schools, and St. Regis was seeking $59,000 for technology upgrades. 

The Alberton levy was a success passing with 151-105 votes, or by a 59 percent margin. 

“The main plan for five years is to replace building roofs,” said Clay Acker, Alberton School superintendent. 

The three building roofs that need repairs include the elementary school, high school and the gym.

The elementary school has reported leaks in their roof and some areas of the flooring have been damaged. Even though the high school has not had leaks, the roof has had problems with ice dams, or ice buildup on the roof in the winter months. 

Acker estimated the elementary school roof is at least 20 years old and in the worst condition.

“It will cost approximately $35,000-40,000 to replace each roof,” Acker said. “We also want to do a full evaluation and upgrade of heating systems in the buildings.” 

Acker estimated the school wants to use approximately $50,000 per year for duration of five years. After that mark, the school board would then reevaluate whether or not another bond would be warranted. 

“We are pretty happy with the results,” Acker said. “Passing levies these days are difficult because of the money involved, and the raising taxes part.” 

School officials went out into the community and talked with seniors and people who didn’t have students in the schools, and they also reached out to parents of current students. 

“It was an all around plan to get out the vote and it worked,” Acker said. “We tried our best to get out the information.” 

He also said the thermostats and radiators on the elementary school’s second floor were malfunctioning. Acker noted it would be good to look over the system and see if any repairs or upgrades were warranted. 

Although the levy passed now, the high school and gym still has at least five years before their roofs need to be replaced, which will be toward the end of the plan for the money. 

Acker felt these problems were not unexpected considering the elementary school is almost 100 years old, while the high school and gym are at least 50. 

The St. Regis Schools $59,000 technology levy did not pass. The final vote total was 88-116.

The technology levy was one that would need to be renewed every ten years because of technological changes. 

Although every Mineral County school held their election, the Superior Public School bond levy won’t be decided until the June 3 primaries because Superior wasn’t ready as they had additional campaigning to do. The school is still campaigning to secure the $3.99 million levy to build a new junior high annex onto the high school. The levy also seeks to upgrade heating systems and to improve energy efficiency in the buildings. 

Superior is currently holding town hall meetings until the end of the month. Voters can come out and obtain more information on the condition of the schools before voting in the election June 3 at the Mineral County Courthouse.