Voters in Davis County again said no to improving high school facilities in Bloomfield, and for a second straight year, it will be students and teachers who will pay the price for this decision.

Last week, the district asked voters to fund a $6.8 million bond issue to make renovations to the aging facility. But the issue failed because not enough yes votes were cast, falling well short of the 60 percent vote total needed.

And last year, the district called for a $12.3 million new facility, but that was met with overwhelming opposition.

This year’s bond issue was a compromise to at least get something done to the facility since voters said no to a new high school, but the end result was the same. And we believe some voters who originally supported the new high school plan in 2006, said no this time, knowing a renovation plan is only a Band-Aid approach.

After the dust settles from this latest setback, we hope the Davis County School Board will once again craft a new proposal. We believe a new facility is really the best option.

Last year, we asked district residents to consider the following issues, all concerns that still exist:

• Exposed electrical wiring, parts of which were installed in the 1930s.

• 1923 boilers encased in asbestos, as are many of the pipes.

• Leaking plumbing, some of which is inaccessible, embedded in concrete.

• Strong odors in bathrooms because there is no ventilation.

• 600-square-feet classrooms when the standard calls for 850 square feet. Teachers are being prevented from implementing 21st century teaching strategies because of cramped space. New classrooms, including state-of-the-art science labs are needed.

• Cracks in the foundation exposing steel.

• The state fire marshal’s office does not like classes being housed in the basement. Students and educators experience extreme heat and air conditioning must be operational year-round, including the winter.

• Security concerns — multiple entrances and exits that make perimeter security tough on staff.

• Need for a new commons area, new classrooms and state-of-the-art science labs.