BENNINGTON, Neb. (KMTV) — Erin Kloke is a mom of two Bennington students and she sees rapid growth in the school district. She fought against the bond measure. Even so, she acknowledges a bond is going to have to pass.
"It's not a question of 'if,' it's a question of 'when.' And we wanted to take the 'when' and push it down the road a little bit," Kloke said.
She cites the current financial state of the district saying it still owes $178 million in outstanding debt from past bonds.
If the bond issue had passed, it would have supported a second high school.
By 2025, the current one will be over capacity. It would have also paid for athletic facilities and security improvements.
But it came with a cost. Homeowners living in houses valued at $350,000 would pay an extra $350 in property taxes. But many like Kloke wanted more time to consider options.
"What if we have a theatre and an arts opportunity in one school and more of blue collar-type electricians and plumbing thing in another school? And kids hop on a little shuttle bus and go back and forth depending on what school and what classes they want to take?" Kloke said.
3 News Now reached out to several people who supported the measure on social media, but they refused to talk on camera. They claim the bond opponents are creating fake Facebook accounts and "trolling them," and that it's affected them personally.
Bennington Public Schools sent 3 News Now an email on what they'll do moving forward.
"Bennington Public Schools appreciates residents for getting out and voting on the bond issue. The District is working on developing a plan on how we can continue to engage community members on the future of the District. New Board of Education members will take their seats in January and will become part of the process.
We continue to anticipate growth throughout the District. The high school will be over capacity with our current enrollment in 2026. As enrollment at the high school grows, there will be plans developed to manage the enrollment and class size the best we can. Bennington Public Schools will continue to live by the mission statement of providing educational opportunities in a safe, caring environment that will prepare all students to meet the challenges of the future."
It was last week when Superintendent Terry Haack said the district's bottom line will be helping students.
"Helping them learn how to learn and move into the work-a-day world, and whatever environment they want to be in. We'll continue to do so moving down the road," Haack said.
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.