Superintendent to seek views on why levy failed

The 4.9-mill levy would have paid for a new stadium and all-weather track.
By MARY R. SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
McDONALD -- Schools Superintendent Michael Wasser called the 39-vote defeat of a 4.9-mill levy to build a new sports complex and other athletic-related repairs "a major disappointment."
But, Wasser also said Thursday after the school board meeting that the levy failure by a vote of 747-708 may be just a "bump in the road."
He said the school board will have to figure out what it is going to have to do to build a new stadium, and he expects further discussion on the matter at the board's December meeting.
Wasser said: "We'll just have to pick ourselves up and keep plugging away," adding he plans to meet with numerous groups in the village before the next board meeting to get their opinions on why the levy failed. He plans to meet with booster groups, the McDonald Sideliners, the Basketball Boosters, Track and Cross Country Boosters, the McDonald Lions Club and senior citizens.
He said when he has asked people why the levy failed, he received all kinds of answers.
"I want to go out and see what the people are looking for -- maybe their not looking for anything," he said.
The board sought levy approval to generate $248,462 a year. The levy combined an old 2-mill permanent improvements levy, a five-year levy that expires this year, with an additional 2.9 mills.
New sports complex
Plans were to use the funds to pay for a new high school sports complex, to include a stadium and all-weather track, replace locker rooms at the high school and make gymnasium improvements. A new bus garage also was to be built, new textbooks purchased and new technology installed.
The high school stadium currently has a four-lane cinder track that has not been used in years for practice or home meets. Proposed was a six-lane, all-weather track and a stadium to include home side and visitors side stands to accommodate 2,501 people.