Three Village superintendent: bond defeat prompts reprioritization, survey and possible revote

Dr. Scanlon, superintendent of schools, said the district’s recent bond proposal was defeated and the board is now reprioritizing which projects to bring back to voters.

"It's unfortunate that the bond was defeated," Dr. Scanlon said, and he told listeners the administration would not recommend putting the exact same bond back on the ballot for an immediate revote.

He said the district will distribute a community survey to identify which areas of the bond voters opposed so the board can "pre prioritize what we need to put in for a future bond." The board is considering placing a revised proposal before voters in May or possibly October.

Dr. Scanlon urged stronger voter turnout after noting that roughly 2,300 people cast votes on the bond while the district has about 37,000 registered voters. He stressed the difference between bond aid and local cost, saying, "Just to remind everyone, we do get 66% of the aid back both on the bond cost and the interest. It's not one or the other it's both."

He warned that if the bond does not move forward, projects would need to be folded into the annual budget, saying some work "must be completed" to maintain aging buildings and support students’ needs.

Addressing community criticism and communications after the vote, Dr. Scanlon singled out a recent local op-ed that said "the board has already decided to pierce the cap," calling that claim "an absolute lie" and stating the board has made no such decision.

He closed by urging residents to "attend the board meetings, watch remotely if you wish, but make sure you're getting the factual information and not people's conjecture on what they think is important." The district said it will share the survey and next steps publicly as the board refines priorities.