The B-B-E school levy referendum failed by a very narrow margin last night. With all 21 precincts reported, 790 voted no compared to 736 who voted yes.
To put it into perspective, the school district has approximately 900 parents. If you look at it with this thing called "simple math" - you'll see that 900 is bigger than 790.
As you would expect, I have much, much more to say (and much to report on other races) - the bottom line is: parents and other stakeholders in the school district need to step up and take ownership. Take responsibility. This is OUR school district. We are not just magically guaranteed a school district that is B-B-E. It takes work to keep it going. A strong, passionate effort to keep us going into our next 30 years. I will work tirelessly to get information on the school out to the public. However, I need a return favor, and ask that people go out of their way to #1 - subscribe to the Bonanza Valley Voice and #2 - take time to read it each week.
Other election results:
In the city of Brooten: Senator Amy Klobuchar narrowly won 128 to 112. (She had a much larger margin in Belgrade) In the other U.S. Senate race, Republican Karin Housley won 133 to 102 over Tina Smith. Congressman Collin Peterson won 141 to 105. State Representative Paul Anderson won 158 to 87 over Padua-area farmer Ben Schirmers.
Governor-elect Tim Walz lost Brooten 136 to 100 to Jeff Johnson. Doug Wardlow cleaned up on Attorney General-elect Keith Ellison by a 139-to-82 vote margin.
For Stearns County Sheriff, sheriff-elect Steve Soyka won Brooten over Dave Bentrud by a 129-to-105 vote margin.
Time to switch gears to newspapers, and pep fests!
##ConquerEveryDay