By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

ELLIS — Voters in Ellis began lining up at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday morning in front of the VFW, 813 Jefferson, in part to decide the fate of  USD 388’s $8.9 million bond election to update schools.

Ellis supervising judge Karen Day said she was excited about the large turnout, attributing most of it to the bond election.

“It’s just an important thing for the city … which way we will go with it, whether to add-on or not to add-on,” Day said.

Ellis resident Lacy Stramel carried her 18-month-old daughter with her to cast her vote.

“Locally, the school bond issue, I feel like there has been big debate … and with having a little one,” Stramel said smiling at her daughter. “My vote definitely mattered with that.”

Stramel said she voted for the bond issue.

Whitey Kohl, Ellis, did not say how he voted but hopes the issue does not divide the community.

“However the vote does turn out, I just hope people don’t split. … The community needs to stay united,” Kohl said.

USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young said Tuesday morning he is nervous about the outcome as there are “so many” facility improvements the district needs to address soon.

Young said he has heard more positive than negative comments regarding the bond election, but feels it is “really tough to tell” if the bond will pass.

Last year, Ellis residents turned down a similar $10 million bond issue.