The results are in, and by an overwhelming margin, the voters in the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School District approved the $15.75 million bond referendum.

The Dallas County Auditor’s Office reports that there were 1,121 “yes” votes on the issue, and 280 “no” votes, a percentage of 80% approval for the general obligation bond. In order to pass, there needed to be a supermajority of 60%, which was surpassed in all three of the precincts. The 1,401 votes cast represent 21% of the eligible voters in the school district, which Auditor Julia Helm felt was a good showing for a special election. Helm points out that the results aren’t official until canvassed at next weeks Dallas County Board of Supervisors meeting, though with such a wide margin of success she says there shouldn’t be any surprises in the results.

With the bond passed, planning and design can now begin in earnest on the new ADM elementary school, which will be located in Adel and will house grades 2-4. Superintendent Greg Dufoe was excited when word came down that the issue was approved so emphatically, adding that he was impressed with the turnout for the election. “You know, right now I really am proud of our communities. To have 1,400 people take the time to vote tonight is just indicative of the support that we have, and to have 80% vote ‘yes,’ I’m just really proud of that and really excited for this next chapter in our history. We anticipated a large turnout, but this is incredible turnout tonight, so we’re really excited!”

Dufoe adds, the District hopes to have plans and specifications for the new building approved by November, at which time they’ll bid the project. Construction will then start as soon as weather allows this winter. He thanked everyone who voted for their support, and called the successful bond election an important moment in the history of ADM.