Loyal voters reject cap exemption referendum

Seven months ago, voters in the Loyal School District said “no” to spending as much as $12 million to renovate and expand school facilities. Last week, they again declined a Board of Education request for more property tax money, this time for ongoing school operations over the next five years.

The April 6 facility expansion referendum went down on a 514-305 count. On Nov. 8, with more voters flocking to the polls due to highly publicized races for governor and senator, the final tally was 640-556 against passage.

This referendum asked voters to increase local property taxes by $1.1 million next year, and by $1.4 million for each of the following four years. If approved, that referendum would have replaced a $675,000 annual exemption approved by voters five years ago.

Prior to last week’s vote, district administrators and Board of Education members said a referendum defeat would lead to significant program and/or staff cuts beginning with the 202324 school year, although specifics were not mentioned. The Board is to meet on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the district conference room for its first chance for post-referendum discussion.