Orono voters approve spending for schools

Updated: February 13, 2008 - 10:03 AM

Orono School District residents on Tuesday approved more than $39 million in improvements to three of the district's four buildings.

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Orono School District residents on Tuesday approved more than $39 million in improvements to three of the district's four buildings.

After rejecting a similar bond proposal in 2005, residents approved the bond package this time on a 1,845 to 1,713 vote.

Tuesday's results mean the owner of a $300,000 home will pay $125 more a year in property taxes and the owner of a $500,000 home will pay $209 more annually.

In November 2005, voters rejected $31 million in facilities upgrades after a group of Orono residents hired Iowa-based consultant Paul Dorr to campaign against the proposals; 56 percent of those voting opposed the plan.

According to the district, the spending plan includes electrical and mechanical upgrades at Orono High, Schumann Elementary and Orono Intermediate schools, to be completed during the next three summers. The work is scheduled to begin this summer.

Orono will finance the project over 20 years, Assistant Superintendent Neal Lawson said.

PATRICE RELERFORD