JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The $34 million referendum to improve some aspects of Jamestown Public Schools while closing Washington and moving the football field to the high school was shot down by the voters of Jamestown on Tuesday.

The vote was overwhelmingly on the no side: 2769 to 1140.

“Our community has told us that this was not the correct plan at the correct time. As a result we need to revisit possible solutions,” said Superintendent Rob Lech. “Our needs have not changed between calling for the referendum in July and today. We need to come together as a community, be solutions-oriented, and determine our next step.“

More people voted in the special election than in the June primary (3517).

Despite the defeat Lech and the committee seem determined to find other solutions. “I choose to view failure as an opportunity to learn. We will learn from this experience and continue to seek out both short-term and long-term solutions,” commented Lech.