The fourth time proved to be a charm for supporters of a new middle school in Spencer. The four-million-dollar bond referendum needed 60-percent approval for passage— and it received 61-percent support. Approximately 38-percent voted against the measure. The unofficial totals are 2,348 “yes” votes to 1,447 “no” votes. Three previous middle school special elections have failed. A bond issue hadn’t passed in Spencer in 27-years. The new 6th and 7th grade building will replace the 1912 structure that originally served as Spencer’s high school. Total cost of the project is estimated at 11-point-5-million. Property taxpayers agreed to contribute four-million with passage of the special election. Officials hope to have the new middle school ready for classes in the fall of 2006. That means students currently in the 4th and 5th grade will be the first in the new building.
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