The margin got slimmer, but a school levy question in Lakeville still failed, according to the results of a recount held Wednesday.
In the Nov. 6 election, returns indicated Lakeville residents had rejected one levy question -- a request for $4.6 million a year in operating money -- by a mere 15 votes. The recount reduced that margin to 12, with a tally of 6,265 "yes" and 6,277 "no" ballots.
Also in that election, voters approved the district's request to renew levy authority that brings in $7.1 million a year. And they rejected a technology levy of $1 million a year.
The close vote on the $4.6 million request prompted levy supporter Don Sinner to collect signatures for a recount.
"It is what it is. We just wanted to make sure the count was correct," said Sinner, president of the local teachers union.
"I'm hoping now that the community can accept the results and move forward, because our work on behalf of children must continue," said Superintendent Gary Amoroso, who said he was not surprised by the outcome of the recount.
The levy's failure means the district faces $1.3 million in cuts for the 2008-09 school year and another $5.4 million the following year. The school board will meet with district staff next week to start looking at next year's budget, Amoroso said.
Last year, the district cut more than $7 million from its 2007-08 budget, including 104 full-time staff positions, after voters rejected a request for funding last fall.
