Voters favor of Itasca Elementary District 10 construction project

Unofficial election results show voters in Itasca Elementary District 10 in favor of plans for an ambitious construction project.

With 100% of precincts reporting, 2,284 voters (56.5%) approved the district's plan to borrow $26.98 million, and 1,757 (43.5%) opposed it.

The list of projects includes building more secure school entrances, and making mechanical, electrical and plumping improvements.

The plan also calls for constructing new science labs and modernizing the library centers.

Even after counting early votes, many mail-in ballots and Election Day votes, the results could change as mail-in ballots will be counted if they arrive by Nov. 17.

If the referendum is approved, the owner of a $300,000 house - the average in Itasca - would pay an additional $324 a year in property taxes to the district.

But officials say the district won't issue bonds until after the economy starts recovering. So the tax levy won't be affected until 2022.