Assembly sends bond proposals to voters

The group earlier had approved two school district propositions totaling nearly $100 million for the ballot.

A $43.9 million roads and drainage bond was trimmed to $34.2 million, in part by cutting the most controversial part of a Spenard Road reconstruction project but leaving a stretch from Hillcrest Drive down to Chester Creek.

Several other bonds were trimmed slightly in a rushed set of votes as midnight approached.

Passed on to voters:

Proposition 1, for $69.8 million, would pay for major renovations on Service High School, design a new elementary school in Girdwood and build water and sewer extensions for Eagle River High School. The measure passed the Assembly in a 7-3 vote. Proposition 2 would finance a series of sprinkler and other mechanical maintenance work on several other schools throughout the district. It passed 6-4, but only after Assemblyman Dan Coffey asked for a reconsideration of a failing 5-5 vote and changed his vote. Sixty percent of the school bond debt would be reimbursed by the state.

Supporters of the Service High work turned out in force for a public hearing before the vote. Students, parents, former students and parents of former students said the school is long overdue for rehab - floors are buckled, rats run in some places and facilities are cramped, they said.

Bob Bell, a former Assemblyman, told the current members that Service has been waiting in line behind other schools for too long.

"Clear back in 1993, we were going to do major renovation of Service High School," Bell said.

"And it's time."

Check back this morning for updates and complete results.