Voters in Bernalillo County, N.M., overwhelmingly approved a total of $617 million in school construction funding during a special bond election on Feb. 2. The 68.3% “yes” vote continues existing property taxes through 2015, while $225 million in general obligation bonds received 72.1% approval. “The focus with this money will be on renewal and renovation of our older schools,” says Karen Alarid, director of facilities design and construction for Albuquerque public schools. Some new construction also is funded. The first project to be funded by the bonds will be a $24-million Food and Nutrition Services Building to provide meals for 90,000 children in the district. “In addition, I have eight projects that are in the drawer, just waiting for this election to pass,” Alarid says. The projects will be put out for bid this month.