Clyde Jackson receives his voting ballot for Tuesday’s bond election, assisted by election workers Linda Mollnow and Saryl Boyd.

OSAGE CITY—USD 420 patrons overwhelmingly approved a $6.77 million bond issue Tuesday, voting two to one in favor of the 18-year bond that will construct new facilities.

The $6,772,500 bond issue will fund construction of an addition to the elementary school for a library and making other renovations to the elementary school; installation of a new mechanical system in one wing of the elementary school; construction of a new middle and elementary school gymnasium, which would also serve as a storm shelter; renovation of the existing elementary school gymnasium to serve as a fitness room and access corridor; renovation the existing middle school gymnasium, including installing a new floor and making the gym accessible to those with disabilities; and construction of a new track and football field facility including seating, parking, lighting and locker rooms.

The bond will take advantage of a state program that pays 45 percent of school bond issues for facility construction, and the district is eligible for zero, or near zero, percent interest on about $4 million of the bond as a result of a federal stimulus program for construction of school facilities.

Approximately 41 percent of the district’s registered turned out to vote in the special election. Preliminary election results Tuesday night indicated 641 voted yes, while 325 voted no on the bond question. According to the Osage County Clerk Rhonda Beets, 46 provisional ballots were cast. USD 421 has about 2,446 registered voters.