Bond passes; Pandit elected to school board

Voters approved District 13’s proposed $32 million bond on Tuesday with 481 yes votes to 270 no votes, or 64 percent of ballots cast.

Board of Education candidate Vinny Pandit, 56, won his bid for an open seat, receiving 414 votes. His opponent, Reginald St. Fort, had 237.

The bond will fund extensive repairs and upgrades to the district’s four schools, including security and fire alarm systems, renovations to existing facilities and new construction.

“I can’t even tell you how excited we are, and thankful to the community,” said board President Toni Pomerantz. “We congratulate Vinny Pandit, and we thank Mr. St. Fort for his candidacy.”