School bond fails; levy passes

Early election results indicate voters were willing to grant a temporary levy to operate Sisters Schools, but opposed a $20 million bond to build a new high school.

Elections results are available here.

As of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, the four-year school option levy was passing 51 percent in favor, 46 percent opposed.

The school bond was failing, with 45 percent in favor and nearly 52 percent opposed.

Superintendent Steve Swisher, in a wheelchair (resulting from his recent serious car accident) attending the school officials' and supporters' election meeting last night at the Sisters Hotel, said he was surprised by the split outcome.

"I believed the outcomes of the votes would go together--there was a lot of hard work to have both pass," Swisher said. Swisher said that the citizens "were very supportive of the local option levy because they understand what class size and materials mean."

Regarding the projected failure of the bond, he said "We have got to listen to those with reservations about the bond and look closely at the precinct voting and re-analyze--obviously, the need to relieve the overcrowding at the school isn't going away. But, remember, it may be premature to conjecture. Let's see if the votes hold up first."

School board member Glen Lasken, characterized by his board member peers as having worked "tirelessly" on both issues, said about the projected passage of the levy "Citizens made a statement that they value education--that they choose to live in Sisters not only for the community but for its schools."

According to Lasken, the projected failure of the bond may have been "Because it's about more money--and the message was more complex." He added, smiling, "We'll revisit the issue and come back in the near future--the seriousness of the (middle school overcrowding) isn't going away."