The bond election for a new Elmore City-Pernell school gym passed by only two votes.
"We are very thankful for our community and the support they demonstrated with the passing of this bond," Superintendent Sheila Riddle said.
The election results will be finalized Friday, with only one provisional ballot needing consideration.
Of the 578 votes cast, 349 voted in favor of the proposition and 229 voted against. Because it is a school bond, it requires a 60% supermajority to pass, and this measure reached 60.38%.
Out of the 2,123 voters registered across the district, only 27.22% voted in the election.
The $19.79 million bond will build a new gym on the spot currently occupied by the football practice field. It will replace the current gym built in the 1950s.
"I'm relieved and excited to see our community take a step forward with a project like this," Riddle said.
Next steps include the school board hiring a construction company for the project, which is slated to be on an upcoming agenda.
The district has already hired Unity Studio as an architect. They provided the renderings seen leading up to the election and also just completed the new EMS station in Elmore City.
The first bonds will be sold starting in June. Once money starts to be received, the school board can start accepting bids for the project. Construction will begin sometime after that.
"There is a lot of excitement in the school and throughout the district to see this project progress," Riddle said. "When this is complete, we'll basically have new facilities that are all less than 20 years old. That's pretty amazing for a rural district."
The larger, more accessible facility will enable a variety of opportunities, such as basketball and powerlifting tournaments and community events.
"We will be more than willing to host once we have this built," Riddle said.