COLUMBUS (AP) — Columbus voters have approved a $22 million school bond issue, the proceeds from which will be used to construct a new middle school.

Complete, unofficial returns show more than 78 percent of those voting Tuesday approved the bond issue. In order to pass, 60 percent of those voting had to approve the bond issue.

The new school will replace aging Hunt Intermediate School and Lee Middle School.

Columbus schools superintendent Del Phillips said there are about 1,000 students in grades six, seven and eight, which will be located at the new middle school.