Augusta School District voters have approved a $48 million bond issue to improve facilities over the next few years.
The vote tally was 1,778 Yes and 1,500 No
The results of the mail-in ballot were received at the district office shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday.
School Superintendent Jim Lentz took the call from the county election office and emerged from his office with a smile on his face.
That smile and his report of the  278-vote victory had those who had gathered at the center cheering, raising their hands, and hugging.
Supt. Lentz says the next step will be refinement of the plans for two new elementary schools, school additions, gymnasiums, and more facility upgrades.
The vote tally was received at the central office a little more than six hours after the noon deadline for the return of all ballots.
Election officials report an official canvass will be made Monday, May 12, but there doesn’t appear to be enough votes to change the outcome.
Members of the school district bond committee promoting the positive vote for the future of district students, staff, and buildings were among those who began gathering early Tuesday afternoon at the district office to learn the results.
The election watch gathering initially started at 2:30 p.m., but early arrivals learned it would be 5 p.m. or after until the county would have results.
The election-watch gathering began again around 4 p.m.Tuesday.
The bond committee campaigned under the acronym K.I.D.S. - Keep Improving District Schools.
Concerns about the time taking to count the ballots which were due at noon Tuesday lead to a number of informal conversations among school officials, bond committee members, and school board members attending the watch party.
Within the package are new schools at the Garfield and Lincoln sites, additions at Robinson and Ewalt Schools, a refurbished high school gym, restrooms at the south end of the football stadium.n ew classrooms and a second gym at the middle school..
It will be the first improvement of district buildings since a similar bond issues was passed in 1992.
Throughout the campaign, school officials said these improvements will enable the district to keep up with growing enrollment and educational technologies for the future to create the best learning environment at Augusta public schools.