Superintendent DePaoli Expresses Disappointment
by Dennis Rahm
Voters in the Lake School District gave a resounding “No” to a construction bond request for a new high school as well as other improvements to the current middle/high school facility, Morgan Owings elementary and the Sargent Field athletic complex. The measure received only 43 percent voter approval with 60 percent required for passage.
Superintendent DePaoli issued a formal statement on the bond measure Wednesday morning: “Although I am disappointed that the Bond was not successful, I want everyone to know that the Board of Directors and I remain undeterred in our vision and our efforts to better meet the needs of our students, staff, and families. While we are appreciative and grateful for a community that has always been supportive of our schools, the voter turnout was impressive and the message is clear. Therefore, the Board and I are committed to further study and to finding creative solutions which the voters can endorse in the future.”
In an interview with LakeChelanNow, DePaoli indicates disappointment and a bit of a surprise. He said that while the outcome was clear, the same challenges facing the school district remain and “obviously we’re going to need a different approach to solving these challenges as this one didn’t work”.
Listen to Superintendent DePaoli’s comments on the election results
It is likely the district will put forward some type of capital improvement projects at a future date. The next school board meeting to discuss the issue and review the recent election will take place on Tuesday, April 30.
