Tuesday Jan. 8 will mark the fourth school bond election in Silo School District over the past year. The $2.3 million bond will aid in constructing classrooms, and agricultural learning facility and awnings for added safety according to Superintendent Bill Caruthers.

Each time the bond has been voted on it has received a majority of the votes. This shows, according to Caruthers, that the district wants it to pass.

The bond has still fallen short of the 60 percent super majority each time. Caruthers said that they keep getting closer and he will not give up on the issue.

Caruthers said that the school has had to bring in six portable building since he has been superintendent to house the overpopulation of students.

The student base has grown to over 843 children this year. Caruthers said the reasons remain the same.

“The need is growing and the tax base is decreasing,” said Caruthers. At the moment Silo School District is the lowest taxed district in Bryan County.

Caruthers said that if the bond passes the district will still remain the lowest taxed in the county. He said that approving the bond will also help to raise the property value in the district.

During the last bond election, Caruthers revealed that a better school in the district will make the property more appealing and therefore raise the property value.

On the other hand, Caruthers said that denying the bond almost insures the school will not receive the needed upgrades.

Caruthers said if the bond fails again it will become more difficult to get any other aid for the school.

He said that general funds are not allowed to be used to construct building so the only ways to receive new facilities is through a bond or grant.

Grants are hard to receive if the district will not pass a bond, said Caruthers. If a district is not willing to support itself, nobody wants to give that district a grant, he said.

“We want to stay positive and stick to the facts,” said Caruthers. Although he said there are rumors of the money going to pay salaries and build refrigerated cattle housing, Caruthers assures the public that the money cannot be spent in any other way than what in stated on the bond.

“The school keeps growing and the kids deserve better,” said Caruthers.

Polls will be open Tuesday Jan 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information contact the County Election Board Office at (580)924-3224.