By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph voters soundly defeated a $157 million school bond issue on the ballot Tuesday.
Unofficial results from the Buchanan County Clerk’s office disclose 6,081 voters cast ballots against the measure with only 5,262 voting in favor; a split of 53.6% against to 46.3% in favor. The issue, which would have increased the St. Joseph school levy by 60 cents, needed a 57% majority to pass.
The St. Joseph School District had proposed the bond issue to pay for a new high school to be built in south St. Joseph as the district moves to reduce high schools in the city from three to two.
Six candidates appeared on the ballot for two seats on the St. Joseph Board of Education.
Jennifer Kerns led all candidates, receiving 4,836 votes, or 23% of the vote. Incumbent Kim Miller finished second, retaining her seat, with 4,391 voters, or 21% of the vote. Brian Kirk came in third, garnering 3,859 votes, or 18.45%. Cassandra Veale, former school board member Kenneth Reeder, and James Mrkvicka rounded out the field.
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