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Chisago Lakes School District 2144 saw its referendum approved Tuesday by just a few hundred votes. The total was 2,158 supporting the measure and 1,820 opposed.

"Very gratified," was how Superintendent Mike McLoughlin described the mood around the district offices once the totals came in. He said the work leading up to the balloting day involved many parents and was a "great community process." He spoke to a number of local civic groups and said there was a good sharing of information on both sides of this issue.

The district asked for authorization to basically continue excess local levies as funding for a variety of capital projects in the district. There are five school buildings and roof repairs and/or replacements will be done at each; a classroom addition will be constructed at the Taylors Falls Elementary School, replacing a 13-year-old stand alone modular unit; a recent purchase of a future school site now can be financed through these levy proceeds versus using general school fund monies to pay for the site, and the district plans on replacing the 30-year-old running track at the Chisago Lakes High School and developing new football/soccer fields.

Voters in all three precincts supported the $14.2 million measure. At the Taylors Falls precinct there were 449 voting yes and 373 no; Chisago City precinct polling was 538 yes and 484 no and the Lindstrom precinct total was 1,171 yes and 963 no.

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