Raise the Roof: Bond to Repair Schools Passes

A in the district received overwhelming support from North Kingstown voters. Preliminary reports show that approximately 1,251 votes (63 percent) were cast in favor of the bond issue with 728 (37 percent) against.

"I'm just really happy and grateful for the support we got today," said Schools Superintendent Phil Auger. "I don't take it for granted. I know people are struggling out there and taxes are high enough already. It's gratifying to know that people are willing to do this for schools."

According to Town Clerk Jeannette Alyward, the 56 mail-in ballots have yet to be counted. The voter turnout for Tuesday's election totaled 1,980 – just 9.42 percent of the total number of voters in North Kingstown. The figure is nearly on par with the turnout in the which saw voters shoot down a $3.85 million bond to convert Wickford Elementary School into a joint town hall and school administrative building and another bond for $800,000 to install turf at McGinn Park.

The $6.4 million bond will allow the school department to make repairs and upgrades to five schools (Davisville Middle, Fishing Cove Elementary, Stony Lane Elementary, Hamilton Elementary and Quidnessett Elementary) to make them compliant with ADA regulations and state building codes. The biggest item on the list of repairs is the replacement of the roof at Davisville Middle School, which a recent survey found to be in danger of "imminent failure." The roof will cost approximately $2 million. The Rhode Island Department of Education has promised up to a 35 percent reimbursement for the work. Auger adds that he hopes to use as little of the $6.4 million as possible.