Crookston school referendum fails by just 9 votes

CROOKSTON, Minn. (Valley News Live) - A near-split decision as voters decided on whether or not to approve a bond referendum for the Crookston School District.

In the August 9 primary election, 842 people voted against the referendum and 833 in favor. People in Crookston were voting on a $3,915,000 project that would have included an artificial turf field, eight-lane track, press box, seating for more than 750 people, a concession stand and bathrooms.

The school district currently leases space from the University of Minnesota Crookston and says owning a sports complex would allow them more freedom to host events and make space available for student and community groups.

A ‘yes’ vote would have included a property tax increase, dependent on estimated market values. Superintendent Dave Kuehn says the tax impact on a $200,000 home would be about $28 a year.

Kuehn says it was a disappointment to lose by just 9 votes, but it also shows that there is support from the community for the project. He says they scope of the project will not change. They hope to do a better job of informing the public about the benefits to students and youth in the community.

A look at the voting precinct maps shows where the ‘no’ votes came from, and Kuehn says they’ll focus on those neighborhoods to better inform people about the need, the benefit and the property tax impacts.

A recount would be possible if the district decided to petition the results of the August 9 special election. Kuehn says they’ll likely bring the project back to voters at a later date. The school board will decide on when to present the project to the public again, saying the earliest another vote could happen is February of 2023.

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