(KMIT – Mitchell, SD) Mitchell voters overwhelmingly approved a $17 million bond issue on Tuesday. 2,888 voted yes, while 634 voted no for an approval rate of nearly 82 percent. The $17 million will be used to add athletic facilities to the new high school. The Mitchell School District had budgeted $45 million for the new high school, but inflation pushed the total cost up to $62 million, necessitating the bond issue. Mitchell Schools Superintendent Joe Childs was pleased with the result.
Childs says both sides of the issue voiced their messages to voters.
The cost to taxpayers will be around $44 per $100,000 assessed valuation based on current rates. 27 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots on the bond issue. The new high school is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 school year.