1974 Albemarle County bond referendum

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1974 Albemarle County bond referendum was a school bond referendum passed on March 19, 1974.[1] The bond was used to finance the construction of Western Albemarle High School, though the referendum question was whether or not to build the school at all.[2] The Albemarle County School Board formally approved the referendum on January 28, 1974, and the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution of intent to hold the referendum on February 13.[3] A special election was set for March 19.[4]

Leading up to the referendum, the Daily Progress published an editorial questioning alternatives to building a new high school, including sharing of space between the city and the county.[5] The paper also published letters to the editor supporting the referendum, including letters written by Albemarle County Public Schools superintendent Clarence S. McClure and the president of the League of Women Voters of Charlottesville/Albemarle.[6] The Western Albemarle Taxpayers Association ran an ad against the referendum in the Daily Progress on the day of the special election.[7]

Light voter turnout was reported early in the day on March 19.[8] Total turnout was 19 percent. The unofficial vote reported in the Daily Progress on March 20 was 2,144 votes in favor and 1,175 against.[9]

The votes by polling place were: 580-139 in Woodbrook, 266-88 in Jack Jouett, 287-105 in Ivy, 89-65 in North Garden, 87-34 in Batesville, 386-143 in Crozet, 53-63 in Free Union, 87-58 in Keswick, 22-36 in Stony Point, 71-83 in Earlysville, 98-56 in Free Bridge, 34-72 in Scottsville, 40-56 in Monticello, 32-70 in Porters, and 32-7 in Covesville.[10]

Western Albemarle High School opened in September 1977. The Daily Progress article which announced the school board's approval of the referendum indicated the school was expected to open in September 1976.[11]


References

  1. Web. Bond a 2-1 choice, Ben Critzer and Mariflo Stephens, The Daily Progress, March 20, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  2. Web. Supervisors push for bond support, Ben Critzer, The Daily Progress, March 14, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  3. Web. Minutes of the Board of Supervisors, February 13, 1974, Albemarle County, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  4. Web. School Bond Vote Set for March 19, The Daily Progress, February 20, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  5. Web. The Albemarle school bond question - Is there an alternative?, George Bowles, The Daily Progress, March 10, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  6. Web. Your Right to Say It, The Daily Progress, March 17, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  7. Web. Albemarle Taxpayers, The Western Albemarle Taxpayers Association, The Daily Progress, March 19, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  8. Web. Turnout Light as Voters Decide School Bond Issue, The Progress Staff, The Daily Progress, March 19, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  9. Web. Bond a 2-1 choice, Ben Critzer and Mariflo Stephens, The Daily Progress, March 20, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  10. Web. Bond a 2-1 choice, Ben Critzer and Mariflo Stephens, The Daily Progress, March 20, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.
  11. Web. Schools Seek $10.5 million, Mariflo Stephens, The Daily Progress, January 29, 1974, retrieved July 1, 2016.

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