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Voters denied a $4.375 million bond request by the Kearney School District Board of Education with 1,154 (51 percent) voting no and 1,108 (49 percent) voting yes. That's counting all precincts in Kearney School District with Clay County and voters on the north side of Holt in Clinton County.

"I'm elated," Rod Will said.

Will, member of the Common Sense for Common People group, was opposed to the bond issue.

"I just have to say what I've been saying," Will said. "Our group is not going to say no down the road, now is just not the time."

Will said with the poor economy, now is not the time to ask for money.

"Thanks for the effort,"Superintendent Dr. Chris Belcher told members of the VOTE Committee at a watch party at Stables Grill as the results were announced.

Belcher said he expected a higher voter turnout. Just 2,262 voters cast ballots. Belcher estimated about 10,000 registered voters in the district based on the last election.

The bond would have paid for improvements to the track, tennis courts, practice field and stadium at Kearney High School. The bond issue also calls for the addition of a gymnasium, tennis courts and baseball practice building at KHS. Synthetic turf for two practice fields and the stadium field at Kearney High School and improvements to the track behind Kearney Elementary School are also part of the bond issue.

"We love this community, we were just disappointed we weren't able to get this passed," said Stephanie Hartzler, who spearheaded the efforts for turf and the VOTE Committee. "This is bigger than the schools, this will affect our community growth."

This bond is one of several to fail. Voters approved one for facility and technology upgrades in November after several failed attempts.

For Kearney Board of Education, challenger Steve McDonald (910 votes) and incumbent Ed Haney (895 votes) were the top two vote getters, winning seats on the board. Incumbent Jim Dier was a close third with 890 votes, but he does not win a seat.

"I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work," McDonald said after hearing the news.

Other totals for Kearney School Board:

Tom Squires - 718

Jack Butler - 587

Ron Hanes- 329

In the Kearney Board of Aldermen Ward 2 race, incumbent Alan Gustin narrowly defeated challenger Bruce Sprague 190 votes (52.9 percent) to 163 votes (45.4 percent).

Ward 1 incumbent Jeff Couchman ran unopposed.

In Holt, Mayor Shelton Dray, Board of Aldermen incumbent Robert Borushko Sr. and former aldermen Ron “Doc” Pierce all ran uncontested and retained their seats.

In Excelsior Springs, Mayor Carolyn Schutte picked up the most votes with 400 (42.78 percent) and incumbent Jim Nelson picked up the second-most votes with 289 (30.91 percent). They both won three-year terms on the city council. Challenger Chad Taylor picked up 238 votes (25.45 percent) and did not win a seat on the city council.

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