Cambridge School Bond Passes
by AJ de Saint Phalle

The $8 million Cambridge Elementary School bond ballot passed yesterday
with 949 in favor, 708 opposed, 41 blank and 1 spoiled. The bond's
passage clears the way for the project to be placed out for bid in
January and for construction to begin in the spring. It is anticipated
that all work will be completed within 18 months, possibly in time for
the start of the 2006- 2007 school year. The project will increase the
number of students who can safely attend the school by 65%, from 300 to
460.
Cambridge School Board Clerk Jen Sander, who also worked the polling
station yesterday said, "The number of little duffers parading through
with their parents, surprised a lot of us and may explain why the bond
passed. We're experiencing a population boom in Cambridge with a strong
influx of young families. The pre-school is full and has a waiting list."
The bond's approval will increase local taxes by $0.17 per hundred
valuation, but the tax rate will remain below $2.00 and below the FY2003
tax rate of $2.098.