OPERATING LEVY FAILS

Walker Hackensack Akeley School District's second attempt to pass an operating levy failed to pass on Tuesday. A referendum failed in December by 18 votes. Tuesday's referendum failed by 160 votes. The second referendum was for less money and less time than the first. Superintendent Wally Schoeb told the Brainerd Dispatch "they told us no so business will continue as usual and we'll make the reductions. The school is in statutory operating debt. The district will have to cut at least $650,000 by next fall and more than $1.2-Million over the next three years. This year's budget was for $9.5-Million.