Economy sank bonds, schools officials say

The No. 1 reason Mead and Central Valley school district officials think their capital improvement bonds failed Tuesday: the economy.

“I had dozens of discussions with people who have talked about many things that they are dealing with as far as (economic) issues,” said Thomas Rockefeller, Mead’s superintendent. Ben Small, Central Valley’s superintendent, echoed the comment.

Passing a bond during times of high unemployment already is a challenge. Now, experts say there’s another element affecting special elections: vote by mail.

“I think the vote by mail has changed school elections,” Small said. “You see a higher percentage of people who say no.”