By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Russell 407 $13.5 million bond failed during a special election on Tuesday.
According to unofficial election results, 1,000 people (65%) voted against the bond issues, and 540 (35%) voted for it. Voter turnout was 40.36%
The bond funds would have been used to renovate Simpson and Bickerdyke elementary schools and Russell Junior/Senior High School.
The bond called for $1.7 million to be used at Simpson Elementary for a new music room that will double as a storm shelter, structural repairs to flooring and improvements to make the school compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The bond would have paid for $7.7 million in improvements at Bickerdyke Elementary, including new commons that would double as a storm shelter, upgrading cooling, pumping, and electrical systems, accessibility improvements, and a remodel to provide a hallway to the new addition.
Bickerdyke does not have central air conditioning. The building is cooled with window units.
Neither of the elementary schools has storm shelters. The children have to shelter in the hallways.
At the high school, the bond funds would have been used for plumbing repairs, a controlled entrance remodel, air conditioning in the main gym and accessibility improvements.
The bond would have been repaid over 20 years, resulting in a 12-mill increase in the property tax levy. On a $100,000 home, that would have been about $138 per year or $11.50 per month. The median home price in Russell is $106,000.
Russell USD 407 Superintendent Jordan Perez said Friday at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, the board will review the results of the recent bond election.
"I anticipate there will be discussion about potential next steps moving forward. The board has recently developed a facilities priority list, and this document will need to be updated to reflect the needs that were outlined in the bond proposal," Perez said via email.
"One of the top priorities moving forward will be addressing the plumbing issues at Bickerdyke Elementary and Russell Junior-Senior High School. These needs remain and will require attention," he said.
"At this time, I do not know the Board of Education’s intent regarding any future bond proposals. Monday’s discussion should provide additional clarity regarding the direction and next steps for the district," Perez said.
Opponents of the bond said the community could not afford a property tax hike at this time. They urged the school district to make the repairs using existing funds and to seek grants or donations.
This is the fourth failed bond attempt for Russell USD 407 since 2019. It also had failed bond attempts in April and November 2019 and in November 2025.
The bond voted on Tuesday was the same package proposed in 2025.
Some voters were critical of bringing back the same bond issue to voters, saying the $10,000 cost of the special election was a waste of tax dollars.