Thank you Rio Rancho voters!
On Tuesday, November 7, Rio Rancho voters were asked to continue their current level of support for public schools by authorizing $80 million in general obligation bonds. The results are in and the Rio Rancho community has once again voted in support of Rio Rancho Public Schools.
The $80 million bond will pay for safety and security upgrades; new classroom space at Rio Rancho HS, Cleveland HS and Lincoln MS; a new Independence High School; additional preschool space; roof replacement; drainage mitigation; plumbing, electrical and HVAC upgrades; IT infrastructure; special services support center and a new Desert Pathways; fine arts production space and a new band room at RRHS; and enhancements to athletic facilities.
The Rio Rancho community also voted in support of the SB-9 measure which will provide $5,473,346 each year for 6 years to support general maintenance, repairs and capital
improvements for the school district.
Unofficial results show the voters approved the bond issue with approximately 71% of the vote with 7142 voting in favor to 2935 against, and with approximately 62% of the vote for the SB-9 measure with 5588 voting in favor to 3477 against. Especially noteworthy was the turnout for this election, where more than 10,000 Rio Rancho voters cast ballots for Rio Rancho Public Schools bond and more than 9,000 cast ballots for the SB-9. This is the highest turnout Rio Rancho Public Schools has seen for both a bond and SB-9 election. We are still waiting on absentee votes to be counted by the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office, but do not anticipate that they will change the results.
“We have been so fortunate to operate in a community that truly believes in education and understands its value,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. V. Sue Cleveland. “The $80 million bond will allow Rio Rancho Public Schools to continue to provide quality spaces for students to learn and the SB-9 measure will provide crucial dollars for maintenance and repairs. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to education and your investment in our community. This bond represents not just an investment in our schools but an investment in our shared future."
The Bond funds approved by voters in this election will become available to the district in increments over the next four years. The SB-9 funds will be available each year for the next six years. The election returns will become official following the canvass by the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office.