KENYON — Kenyon-Wanamingo school district voters approved both levy questions on the ballot Tuesday night, but the question that would result in higher taxes barely squeaked by.
The first question called for renewal of the district's existing $126-per-pupil operating levy. That question passed with 65 percent of the vote, 618-333. But the proposal to levy an additional $173 per pupil passed by just 12 votes, 479-467.
"I felt fairly good about question one, but question two was kind of up in the air," Superintendent Jeff Evert said. "I got kind of mixed comments about question two. I thought it'd be very close."
The two measures will add approximately $328,000 per year to the district's general fund for the next decade, beginning in the 2012-13 school year.
Evert said staff turnover has brought in younger teachers with lower salaries, which has helped the bottom line. However, cuts would have been necessary without approval of both questions Tuesday night.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Question one passing, I think we would have been good through next year," Evert said. "But without question two, we would have had to start reducing staff again next year."
