The Buffalo Island Central school district has passed its millage issue on the third try. In unofficial numbers released from the Craighead County Election Commission, 669 people voted for the measure, 434 people voted against. That is a 60% to 40% split. The approval means a new kindergarten through sixth grade school will be built in Leachville and a new seventh grade through 12th grade school is coming to Monette. Both projects will be a combined 123-thousand square feet and will cost 16-million dollars. The square feet will be divided evenly with both schools, as well as the cost. Superintendent of the Buffalo Island Central school district Gaylon Taylor reacted after he received the vote count:
Taylor tells KASU news this will help recruit new families in the area that will come to work at new employers, like the nearby Big River Steel facility in Osceola:
Gaylon Taylor. The school district will work with architects on the final design of the buildings and let bids for the projects. He expects both projects to be worked on simultaneously. The new buildings could be ready to hold classes in two years. The millage for the school district will be 40 mills. The Craighead County Election Commission is expected to certify the results Friday.
