(ABC 6) – Among the many races that focused on Election Day, some were less about choosing who will represent Minnesota communities and more about choosing the future of local school districts.

There were several referendums on the ballot, some of which did not pass, including the Byron Public School one.

The final question number at the Byron school might not have been as tight as other races, but just talking to people in the area shows that the feelings people have are mixed.

Finding people with an opinion about the Byron referendum is not very difficult, as the effects of the decision are far-reaching.

ABC 6 spoke to several people in the area, and for those who support the referendum it was a hard message to wake up to, leaving a deep sense of disappointment.

Tracy Lermon, a resident with two grandchildren in the district, described the feeling as fear.

“I’m scared for our school staff and I’m scared for the kids because ultimately they’re going to be the ones paying for this,” she said.

On the other hand, those who voted did not express a somewhat indifferent attitude.

They pointed to the impact the levy would have had on their property taxes and Byron Public School’s troubled financial history as reasons they voted against it.

Lermon, however, believes there was also an element of distrust in the system.

“A lot of people feel like there hasn’t been enough communication,” she said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions, so I think those unanswered questions drove those ‘no’ votes.”

Byron Public Schools tried similar referendums in the past, failing several times before finally passing one in 2022, which allowed a number of construction projects.

Now, however, it seems the dial has turned back, and residents want to see more improvements without taking a hit to their wallets.

ABC 6 reached out to Superintendent Mike Neubeck, but he declined an interview, saying more information would be forthcoming.

However, newly elected school board member Alisha Eiken responded to questions via email. Her response is below: