LAUREL- A measure to buy land for a new elementary school in Laurel is too close to call, and a separate levy to boost security at the high school appears to be passing.
The roughly $2 million levy for the new elementary school led by five votes, 1,586 to 1,581, after the unofficial final tally released at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The measure for the high school received 52 percent of the vote as of the first count. The tally was 1,578 to 1,449. This levy would improve the entryway to Laurel High School by adding an intercom system, keyless access cards, security cameras and more secure doors and locks.
The two levies would cost owners of a $200,000 home in Laurel about $38 a year. However, because of offsets from a CHS refinery tax settlement and an expected increase in state contributions, Laurel property owners will still likely see their overall tax bill drop, according to school district officials.
This vote comes nearly two years after voters rejected a massive, $59.5 million bonding plan that included a new elementary school and improvements to all buildings.
For complete results, click here.
Related: Highlighting safety concerns, Laurel School District asking voters for $3 million levy
