Voters say 'no' to school levy rise

There was no "third time's a charm" for Wrenshall referendum supporters, as 55 percent of school district residents who voted Tuesday rejected a $14.4 million bonding request for school facility improvements. With 513 "no" votes to 418 "yes" votes, superintendent Kimberly Belcastro pointed out that 48 more "yes" votes would have meant a different result.

But that's not what happened.

School board vice chair Janaki Fisher-Merritt announced the results just before 10 p.m., after a group of nearly 40 supporters had waited nearly two hours in the school commons area. It was a difference of 95 votes, he said.

"But we're still here," said the longtime board member, stoically. "We're a strong school, and a good community ... I know the district will be fine."

It was the third time in just over two years that the school district had asked voters to approve improvements to the aging PreK-12 school in the small community. In April of 2017, voters soundly rejected a $12.5 million proposal. Nearly three-fourths of voters said no. Last fall, a $13 million question was denied by just 52 votes, 534-482.

While close to half of the $14.4 million would have gone for indoor air quality improvements in the aging building, the proposal also included adding a second gym, remodeling the entrance to make it more secure, converting the now-closed rec building into a space for vocational education and remodeling the pool into classrooms.

Fisher-Merritt was already looking at next steps after the announcement, noting that the board and facility committee would meet soon to figure out a way forward.

"We were really trying to avoid doing the nonvoter-approved levy, because it's not as efficient a way to fix what we need to get done," he said, referring to school district levies for health and safety improvements that don't require voter approval. "So we'll have to reconsider that."

School boards can approve levies to deal with issues of air quality, health and safety, and fire suppression without voter approval - nearby Carlton school district did that in November 2017 for more than $5 million in improvements to South Terrace Elementary School after their referendum failed. That levy contributed greatly to a tax increase of 43 percent for the Carlton school district portion of residents' 2019 tax bills.

Reached after the vote results were public, community member Tony Sheda said he felt no elation over the failed vote, but wished the district would ask the community what it would support before going out for any future referendums.

Sheda said he had considered voting "yes" until the district hired [construction/consulting firm] Kraus-Anderson with their "bag of tricks."

"I feel for the school," Sheda said. "I had six kids graduate from there."

There were some very sad faces at the school following the announcement: parents, staff members, school kids. Lots of hugs, lots of head shaking.

Board member Michelle Blanchard said she was surprised by the result, and disappointed.

"I thought the community could come together for the whole," she said, adding that she had thought this vote would squeak by. "But it's back to the table, I guess."

"Oh, well, we're tough," said board member Jack Eudy. "We don't give up."

Belcastro said she was proud of the work done by the school board, the facility committee and many community members.

"The Wrenshall school district is a wonderful environment for the students who are fortunate to attend here," Belcastro said Wednesday. "I will be meeting with the school board on determining what the next steps will be."

The Wrenshall school board had a committee of the whole meeting set for the next night, with a regular meeting Monday, May 20.