Willmar school levy fails

WILLMAR -- Voters in the Willmar School District have turned back an operating levy that would have raised an additional $1.8 million a year for the next 10 years.

The voters refused to revoke a $498.49 levy per pupil unit and replace it with an $898.49 levy.

The vote was 4,627 no to 4,411 yes.

The $498.49 levy is set to expire next year. School officials have said they will likely try again next year. If the levy is allowed to expire, the district will lose about $2.4 million a year.

The money from the new levy would have been used to help restore programs that were cut in recent years and to build up the district's general fund balance.