Dayton Levy Vote Certified

DAYTON – A final count of votes on Tuesday confirmed the failure of Dayton School District’s $800,000 capital-improvement levy. It was a close vote, but just 48.9 percent of residents voted to approve the measure. A 50-percent approval was required.

A majority of voters inside city limits approved the levy, according to the election results posted online, but voter turnout was lower in the city than in previous years where support for the district had been strong, according to Dayton Schools Superintendent Doug Johnson. “A large number of people chose not to vote at all,” he said.

Johnson is concerned about this levy failure, falling on the heels of disappointment last year when the district was unable to secure approval for a $20 million comprehensive campus modernization project.

“We have another M&O [maintenance and operation] levy and a technology levy coming up in February,” he said. “And those have to pass. If the M&O levy fails, we would likely lose an administrative position, as many as six teaching positions, and there would be no extra-curricular activities. M & O pays for our sports, ASB and other activities.”