Liberty tech levy likely to pass

Liberty School District’s technology levy appears to be passing after Tuesday’s election, but the capital projects bond is too close to call at press time. Bonds require a 60 percent super-majority to pass and the measure has 60.56 percent approval so far.

“We’re kind of on pins and needles,” said Superintendent Bill Motsenbocker. “We’re encouraged that at least at this point it looks like the bond is successful. With a community as small as ours, one percent of the vote could be as small as 15 votes. Things can go one way or the other depending on whatever the last-minute ballots have in store for us.”

Votes postmarked by March 11 will be trickling in over the next few days. The election must be certified by March 26.

The levy, which requires a simple majority, was passing with 54 percent of the vote on election night. The four-year, $460,000 levy will pay for new computer servers, new computers and upgraded wiring. “We feel pretty confident that that will go, now that we just have to get 50 percent plus one,” Motsenbocker said.

The district could be in for a rough ride if the bond fails. The $435,000 bond would run for 6 1/2 years and would pay for a new roof for the combined elementary and junior high and repair or replace the parking lots, an access road between the schools and a portion of the elementary playground.

There are no contingency plans waiting in the wings, though it is obvious the aging roof must be replaced. “We will have to do the roof one way or another,” he said. “We could probably limp along for a short period of time doing what we’ve been doing, patching it when it leaks.”

The board of directors will have to decide what to do if the measure fails, he said. “We’re cautiously optimistic. We’re very grateful our vote is over 60 percent at the moment.”