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Voters on Tuesday rejected a request from the Chisago Lakes School District to be allowed to sell approximately $65 million in bonds to finance a host of projects.  

Primary Elementary, in Chisago City, the middle school and high school in Lindstrom and Taylors Falls Elementary were identified for deferred maintenance and retrofit projects and roofing needs among other capital projects to the tune of $62 million.  The district anticipated a three-year schedule to get all the work completed.

There were three different precincts that residents were voting at, and all three were in the ‘No’ camp.

In the Chisago Lake Township location, there were 1,239 votes against the bond and 960 in support of it.

At the Lindstrom Community Center polling location, the tallies were much closer, with the ‘No’ vote getting 608 tallies and the ‘Yes’ side earning 587.

At the Taylors Falls voting location, there were 538 votes for ‘No’ and 327 votes for ‘Yes’.

There were also 830 total absentee ballots casted, with 356 in support of the bond and 474 against.

In total, the votes were 2,385 against the bond and 1,874 for the bond, or 55.99 percent against and 44.01 percent in support.

The school district released a statement shortly after the results came in, saying “School district voters have rejected the bond referendum.

“We respect the voters' decision and are grateful for everyone’s participation.”

The next regular school board meeting is Thursday, May 22.

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