WACO levy passes; Washington County voters retain school board leadership

WA­SH­ING­TON — In this year’s school elections across Washington County, voters confirmed a mix of uncontested board seats and one critical levy designed to fund facilities and equipment across the WACO Community School District.

In the Highland Community School District, all four director seats up for election ran unopposed. Cody Thompson took District 1 with 445 votes, Aaron Friederich won District 3 with 441, Nate Robinson claimed District 5 also with 441, and Jarrod Longbine secured the District 2 vacancy with 447 votes.

The district, which covers portions of Johnson and Washington counties, serves about 559 students and three schools.

At the Keota Community School District, voters selected two at-large board members. Erin McGuire received 16 votes and Daniel Redlinger 21; Nathan Greiner drew 12. With those results McGuire and Redlinger join the board. For the second at-large seat, Pat Hammen ran uncontested and was elected with 27 votes.

In the Mid‑Prairie Community School District, a contested at-large race drew four candidates for two seats: Kirah Johnson topped the field with 420 votes, Jacob Snider earned 384 and both won seats, while Michael Burns (379) and Jim Miller (345) fell short.

In the Pekin Community School District, Kortney Baumberger ran unopposed for the at-large seat and received seven votes. John Greiner with seven votes defeated Linda Brock (five votes) for the District 5 seat. JD Olinger stood unopposed in District 1, gaining 10 votes.

The WACO board’s measure, identified as “Measure JZ,” asked voters to authorize a voter-approved Physical Plant & Equipment Levy (VPPEL) not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 10 years, to begin in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The request aimed to fund grounds and building improvements; construction and renovation of school facilities; purchase, lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; transportation equipment; energy conservation; and other authorized purposes. The question state- wide for such levies allows districts to levy up to $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value for a 10-year period if voter-approved.

The measure passed with 48 votes in favor and 34 against. Because WACO spans multiple counties (Henry, Washington, Jefferson and Louisa), this local portion reflects only the Washington County portion of the vote.

In the Washington Community School District, Michael Liska (845 votes) ran unopposed for the at-large seat; James Almelien (835) and Minid Rees (833) similarly retained seats in Districts 2 and 5 respectively.

Finally, in the Winfield‑Montgomery Union Community School District, Aaron Cummings (3 votes) and Grant Klopfenstein (6 votes) ran unopposed for two at-large positions. Measure KA, a revenue purpose statement tied to the district’s Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund, failed, with one vote in favor and five opposed.

Across Washington County, the election largely reflected continuity in uncontested races, while the WACO levy offered one of the few points of choice. The successful levy means WACO will retain its funding stream for essential building, equipment and transportation improvements over the next decade. Observers say such levies protect the district’s general fund by covering infrastructure and non-salary expenses.

With all positions now settled and the levy approved, school boards across the county will convene in the coming weeks to organize, assign roles and begin planning for the school year ahead.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com