Williston Voters Say No - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Williston Voters Say No

Nearly two thousand voters came to the polls in Williston yesterday and said "no" to a plan to raise 55 million dollars for

school improvements and building projects.

The final vote tally showed 1415 against the plan and only 551 in favor.

A second question that would have allowed a much smaller tax increase also failed.

Williston Superintendent Dr. Viola LaFontaine says the votes leave the district in a money crunch, but leaders will regroup and come up with another way to deal with the influx of students caused by the oil boom in the region.

This school year, the district re-opened a school building that had been shut down years ago as a way to help deal with the student population explosion.

The 55-million dollar plan called for a large, new school building near the football field, and upgrades and expansions at other buildings in the Williston district.