New London School District voters pass $5.375 million bond

New London School District voters Tuesday approved a $5.375 million bond that allows the district to create additional classrooms at Clark Elementary, construct a new gymnasium space and add supplemental parking.

485 total votes were cast with a final tally of 328-157. The bond vote exceeded the needed 60% approval needed, with 68% of voters in favor.

New London Superintendent Chad Wahls was happy to see that the community came together to work toward a better future for the students in the district.

“Since I’ve been here my goal has been to make this district the best it can be,” Wahls said. “I grew up in a small town. Most of the time schools are the focal point of these small towns. I just want to make this school thrive in all areas, whether it be academic or athletic. I think it’s great that the community saw the potential and that they’re allowing us to progress with that. We’re moving forward.”

New London is on the upward trend in terms of residents and enrollment. This is one reason the bond money is important to the district.

“New London is growing,” Wahls said. “That’s one of the main issues we’ve tried to point to in this bond election. The school grows along with the city, and we’re starting to see that in the classroom.”

With the money from the bond, the school plans to turn the Clark Elementary gym and multipurpose room into additional classrooms.

Elementary-age students now have three separate sections at each grade level.

They plan to add a new gym space for athletics and physical education classes.

New parking will be built to help the flow of traffic and ensure pedestrian safety.

Wahls expressed great thanks to the community.

“I think the important thing to remember is this decision took more than one person,” Wahls said. “It was truly the community coming together to better the future of our students.”

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