Columbus, Neb. – A $43.6 million bond proposal by Columbus Public Schools to construct a new intermediate building has been rejected by Platte County voters. Unofficial results released by the Platte County election commissioner show 940 votes in favor and 1,730 votes against the bond.

The bond's defeat came by a nearly two-to-one margin. The school district had proposed using the funds to build a new facility to house fourth and fifth-grade students.

The district cited projections of 1,800 new homes by the 2029-30 school year, anticipating an increase of 500 to 600 students. The proposed school would have accommodated up to 800 students.

Columbus Middle School currently has the largest student population in the state, with approximately 1,200 students in grades 5 through 8.