Carlton voters reject school referendum

Voters in the Carlton school district have narrowly defeated a levy referendum.

About 51 percent of voters said no to extending the current excess levy. The unofficial vote total was 433-418.

A second question on the ballot would have raised the levy by $83.31 on a home valued at $100,000. The second question could not pass without the first question being approved.

“We’re shocked, we’re totally shocked,” said Carlton School Board Member Randy Schmitz. He said the school district has about 600 students and he expected their parents would have supported the referendum.

Schmitz said the lost funding would result in program cuts, which will lead some students to move to neighboring districts, resulting in a spiral of more funding cuts and more student losses.

The district is expected to hold another referendum. First, Schmitz said the district would have to inform people of the reality of the situation and find out how taxpayers want to deal with it.

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