Even as children were beginning their first day back at school Tuesday, Sept. 8, voters in the Staples Motley School District went to the polls and defeated a $6.43 million building bond.

The bond issue failed by 182 votes. District totals showed 644 voted no and 462 voted yes.

Most of the money was earmarked for building maintenance projects, such as replacing roofs and worn flooring, replacing windows, installing a biomass burner at the high school and renovating space at the high school to accommodate the office of the Freshwater Education District so the current building can be closed.

Residents of Todd and Wadena counties cast their ballots at Centennial Auditorium in Staples. Residents of Cass and Morrison counties voted at the old gym at the Motley school.

The Staples Motley School Board met in special session at 7:15 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, to canvass the election and all results reported here are official.

Staples Precinct

Todd County
Registered voters at
opening of polls .. 2,592
Registered election day
................................ 21
Absentee ballots ..... 14
Total votes cast ..... 476
Yes ..................... 194
No ...................... 282

Wadena County
Registered voters at
opening of polls ..... 995
Registered election day
.................................. 8
Absentee ballots ..... 14
Total votes cast ..... 267
Yes ..................... 157
No ...................... 110

Motley Precinct

Morrison County
Registered voters at
opening of polls .. 1,082
Registered election day
.................................. 7
Absentee ballots ....... 2
Total votes cast ..... 208
Yes ....................... 61
No ...................... 147

Cass County
Registered voters at
opening of polls ..... 861
Registered election day
.................................. 8
Absentee ballots ....... 8
Total votes cast ..... 155
Yes ....................... 50
No ...................... 105