1974 Albemarle County bond referendum

1974 Albemarle County bond referendum was a school bond referendum passed on March 19, 1974. 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. 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. A special election was set for March 19.

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. 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. The Western Albemarle Taxpayers Association ran an ad against the referendum in the Daily Progress on the day of the special election.

Light voter turnout was reported early in the day on March 19. 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.

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.

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.

References

http://s3.amazonaws.com/cville/cm%2Fmutlimedia%2F070116-1974BondReferendum-AllDailyProgress.pdf