Chillicothe ISD voters approve $7.5 million bond issue for new facilities

CHILLICOTHE – Voters in the Chillicothe Independent School District overwhelmingly approved a $7.5 million bond issue to build new facilities at bot the elementary school and high school by a margin of nearly 80 percent during an election Saturday, May 4 in which they also decided on local school board and hospital board seats.
The bond issue was approved by 79 percent of voters with 110 casting ballots in favor of the issue and 30 opposed.
The bond issue will pay for construction of a new 5,600 square-foot cafeteria at the elementary school with kitchen and stage, and renovation the existing cafeteria into additional classroom space. Also included is the construction of a new bus loop and drop-off canopy. It also includes the construction of a new 6,000 square-foot vocational ag building at the high school to replace a facility constructed in the 1950s. The new facility will include a wood shop, metal shop and paint booth along with ADA-compliant restrooms.
Voters will see an increase of 13 cents per $100 valuation in property taxes.
“We’re really excited to move ahead with the plans our committee has put together,” said Supt. Todd Wilson. “We’re thankful to the voters of CISD for putting the confidence in the district to do good things for the kids to better their education.”
Wilson said the district is now in a development phase to work with architects who are starting up the drawings at this time. He said the district will begin selling during the summer with funds to be available by July. The district will go out for bids later in the summer with ground breaking for the project by late fall 2019.
“Our hope is to have (at least) some of the projects completed by fall of 2020,” he said.
School, hospital board races
Voters also decided on two at-large seats for the Chillicothe ISD board of trustees in Saturday’s election. Incumbent Cheryl McGlockin was re-elected to her seat with 121 votes. Elected to the other seat was newcomer Seth Baird, who garnered 124 votes. The third candidate, Delores Flores received 36 votes. The seat that Baird was elected to was formerly held by Sharon Brock, who did not seek re-election.
Ballots were cast for two at-large seats on the Chillicothe Hospital board of directors with newcomers winning those seats. Elected to the seats were Mike Baustert with 104 votes and Ray Hopkins for 100 votes. Incumbent Cecile Brown received 22 votes and incumbent Betty Boone got 53 votes.
Quanah reelects major, approves street maintenance tax
City of Quanah voters approved the reauthorization of a street maintenance proposition by a 95 percent margin with 207 votes in favor and 12 against. This tax, which has been in effect for several years, is up for re-authorization every 4 years.
Quanah voters also re-elected Dale Eaton as mayor by receiving 209 votes compared to 10 votes for challenger Anna Faktorovich.
Two newcomers and one incumbent were elected at-large to three seats on the Quanah city council. Incumbent Michael Woods was re-elected to his seat with 157 votes while newcomers Ashley O’Neal were elected with 186 votes and Denise Nowell with 119 votes. Incumbent Susie Bagby received 73 votes while David E. Wilson garnered 116 votes.