LOLO — The third time’s a charm for the Lolo School District.
Following multiple failed attempts at passing a school bond, Lolo School officials have successfully passed not only a school bond but the sale of their current property.
Planning is now underway to build a new school building on Farm Lane, away from the busy highway where the current campus is located.
But the bond's passage also means taxes will increase by about $185 per year on a home valued at $100,000.
Lolo School Superintendent Dale Olinger has been vocal about the need for a new building, saying the current school property has issues that would cost millions to fix.
A new facility would get everyone under the same roof, away from busy US Highway 93, and offer room for growth.
The unofficial results show that over 55% of Lolo voters cast their ballots in Tuesday's election.
The final, unofficial, tally was 1,139 in favor of the bond for the new school and 957 against -- a 45%-to-45% margin.
The proposal to sell the current school campus property passed 1,418-to-670 -- a 67%-to-32% margin.
The Lolo SDchool District reports a record 2,097 ballots were cast on Tuesday.
The approval of the $22.1 million proposal follows a decision by voters in neighboring Florence -- and parts of Lolo -- to approve the building of a new school.
