Voters resoundingly defeated an $18.7 million school bond levy
District 777 voters resoundingly defeated an $18.7 million bond building bond levy in voting Tuesday, May 12. There were 1,354 votes cast against the referendum (67.5 percent) to 651 in favor (32.5 percent.)
The margin of the defeat showed a widespread dissatisfaction with the plan. Those voting against it did so for a variety of reason including: the current poor farm economy, an increase in taxes, moving the fourth grade to the high school, and a plan that seemed to change too often.
Voter turnout was very high with 2,005 ballots cast. That is 833 more votes than were cast in the 2013 levy referendum for funding school operations and 912 more than were cast in the 2011 operating levy referendum.
District 777’s Board of Education is planning on meeting Monday night to discuss how it will move forward following the building levy defeat.
District 777 Building Levy Referendum
Ballots Percent
District 777 Yes No Yes No
Vote total 2,005 651 1,354 32.5 67.5
Past Operating Levy Referendums
Ballots Percent
Precinct 2013 Yes No Yes No
City of Benson W I No 243 173 58.4 41.6
City of Benson W II So 221 189 53.9 46.1
Rural/other cities 189 157 54.6 45.4
Total 653 519 55.7 44.3
Total votes cast 1,172
Ballots Percent
Precinct 2011 Yes No Yes No
City of Benson W I No 283 82 75.5% 25.5%
City of Benson W II So 258 80 76.3% 24.7%
Rural/other cities 308 82 79.0% 21.0%
Total 849 244 77.7% 22.3%
Total votes cast 1,093
Ballots Percent
Precinct 2006 Yes No Yes No
City of Benson W I No 448 248 64.4% 35.6%
City of Benson W II So 477 250 65.6% 34.4%
Rural/Other cities 674 496 57.6% 42.4%
Total 1,559 994 61.7% 38.3%
