Johnston Board Discusses Steps After Bond Failure

While the next steps related to the failed Johnston bond issue aren't yet clear, continued support from some school district residents is evident.

About 15 Johnston residents attended the first Johnston school board meeting since a $51 million referendum to help pay for a new high school failed to win voter approval on Sept. 11.

Mark Toebben spoke on behalf of Citizens for Quality Johnston Schools, a group formed to educate voters about the bond issue and advocate for a yes vote.

"Those that support (the bond) recognize it is more than a new high school," he said. "It's an investment in our students."

The board briefly discussed what the next steps should be in order to deal with increasing enrollment and facility needs.

"I don't personally think this is a time to make a lot of quick decisions," said Superintendent Clay Guthniller. "If we make a decision sometime by November, we'll have four to five months to do things necessary in the community."

One aspect of planning the board did discuss was ways to get more community input.

"We talked about creating listening forums - an open public forum to be able to speak to the issues," Guthmiller said.

There is also the opportunity to talk with groups both in support and in opposition of the bond issue, he said.

Board member Greg Dockum said he was a big supporter of the opportunity.

"I think we need to give reasons to vote yes," he said. "We need a laundry list of reasons to vote yes."

Board members agreed future plans need to be more specific.

"We need to be more blunt," board member Julie Walter said of sharing details.

Toebben said there is still support for a bond referendum if district leaders want to try again.

"I, my family and Citizens for Quality Johnston Schools support the next steps to get the issue passed."

The board decided to meet at some time next week for a work session to delve into the logistics of future plans.

See more stories on the $51-million bond issue and proposed new high school:

• Letter to the Editor: Johnston Area Education Association Backs Bond Election
• Letter to the Editor: Proposed Johnston High School is Needed
• What Could Johnston's Proposed $75 Million High School Look Like? Take a Peek
• Have Questions on $51 Million Vote? Johnston Schools to Hold Public Forums to Answer Them
• $51 Million Bond Issue to Be Decided By Johnston School District Voters