Absentee voting underway for Capitan schools' $22 million bond election
Election day is Aug. 15 for the school bond for district improvements
- Example of property tax impact detailed
Absentee voting begins Friday, July 21, for a $22 million general obligation bond election of the Capitan Municipal School District.
Staff of the Lincoln County Clerk’s staff reminded voters who reside in the district that the election is Aug. 15, and the polling place for the election is on the campus of the Capitan Municipal Schools through the entrance to the Elementary School Library on Forest Avenue in Capitan. The district has 3,812 voters registered for the election.
Proposed improvements include a new elementary school covering Head Start and kindergarten through fifth grade; a district cafeteria-culinary arts center serving all grades; and a new field house for football, track and cross country boys and girls’ sports.
The bond wording pledges the money to erect, remodel, make additions to and furnish school buildings; purchasing or improving school grounds; purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public schools; and providing matching funds for capital outlay projects funded pursuant to the Public School Capital Outlay Act. The bonds are to be repaid through ad valorem taxes.
A breakdown provided by the school district office of the impact if voters approve the bond issue showed that someone owning a house with a market value of $150,000 and a taxable property value of $50,000 would see an annual increase in property taxes of $116.
In a letter to Capitan residents, School District Superintendent Sam M. Wootton wrote, “Our elementary building and district cafeteria are in extreme need of being replaced. The original structure was built in 1980, and with our aging building, we understand it will no longer grow with our students and take them where they need to go academically.
“We have suffered severe water damage to the foundation and also to all roofs.”
With replacement, the safety of all students will be addresses, he wrote.
“The district can improve security updates and reduce the total number of exterior doors,” Wootton wrote. “With a new facility, we will have the ability to provide improved technology and educational opportunities for all Capitan children.”
Absentee voting will end Aug. 11, County Clerk Rhonda Burrows said. Absentee ballot applications may be obtained through Lincoln County’s website on the County Clerk’s page at: http://www.lincolncountynm.gov/county_offices/clerk/index.php, or voters registered in the Capitan School District may request an application by phone at 800-687-2705, ext 6. Voters can cast an absentee ballot in person at the clerk’s office during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the courthouse 300 Central Avenue, Carrizozo.
For questions about the election process, call the Office of the County Clerk at 800-687-2705 ext 6.