After a very narrow defeat in 2007, voters in the Northeast Hamilton Community School District on Tuesday approved an estimated $2.9 million building project for a new elementary school in Blairsburg.
While the measure actually received a majority of yes votes last year, such bond proposals require 60 percent for approval. This time around, the measure passed with room to spare.
Unofficial vote totals show that 71 percent of the 562 voters going to the polls Tuesday supported the proposal, gaining 398 yes votes and 164 no votes.
Support was strong in all three voting precincts. In Blairsburg, there were 160 yes votes and 52 no votes. Williams recorded 134 yes votes and 65 no votes. The vote was closest in Kamrar, with 49 voting yes and 33 voting no. The absentees favored the measure by a margin of 55 to 14.
Kim Schaa said she and her fellow board members were all very happy with the outcome.
"We are very pleased with the support from the community and the support for our kids," Schaa said.
As in many districts across the county Northeast Hamilton voters did not see a contested race for seats on the school board.
In District 1, Kathy Pruismann was unopposed for reelection.
In District 2, no candidate was on the ballot, but Brutt Schutt captured 147 write-in votes to gain a seat on the board
Stratford
Four persons competed for two seats on the Stratford Community School District on Tuesday. April Carlson was elected with 121 votes, followed by Eric McGlynn, elected with 104 votes.
Rounding out the vote totals in Stratford, Angela Nepereny received 50 votes, while James Frank received 24 votes.
Webster City
Two incumbents were reelected in uncontested races in Webster City. Dan Ryherd led the vote total with 273, followed closely by Craig Loffredo with 267 votes.
Public Measure A, a statement on revenue usage from the sales tax passed easily, 262 to 45.
South Hamilton
There were no contested races at South Hamilton. Elected were; Marvin Ness in District 3 and Joely Swenson in District 5.
Iowa Central
A write-in campaign for William Olson captured light interest throughout Hamilton County, but he was far surpassed in local vote totals by incumbent Tom Chelesvig.