LEVY REFERENDA PICTURE MIXED; ONAMIA PASSES

Some Lakes Area school districts did well and others not so well in Tuesday night's elections. Requests for more tax money in Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton and Wadena Deer Creek school districts were turned down but voters in the Pierz School District approved a per pupil increase from $500 to $700. And voters in the Onamia School District approved a levy request that would increase spending to $650 per pupil and renovate the track and field facility. Superintendent John Varner said this was the district's third referendum attempt and will allow the school to avoid statutory operating debt. Varner said the money will allow the board to consolidate and pay bills and re-establish a reserve fund balance but there won't be money for extras and frills. He said the track renovation would cost $350,000. The final vote for per pupil spending was 844 in favor and 675 against. Track renovation numbers were 775 in favor, 740 against.