The percentage improves, but the $19.4 million bond referendum for the Greene County School District fails to get supermajority to pass.

According to the Greene County Auditor’s office, the bond issue received just over 53 percent or 1,161 “yes” votes to just under 47 percent or 1,026 “no” votes. It needed at least 60 percent to pass. Voters also chose Mike Dennhardt over Jonathon Hinote to fill a vacancy on the school board. Dennhardt, who was appointed by the Board in January to fill Susan Burkett’s seat, defeated Hinote with 1,093 votes to 881.

Of the 5,692 registered voters in the district, 2,193 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 38.53 percent. Last year the voter turnout was 28 percent.

Superintendent Tim Christensen wants to thank the Pay It Forward committee for “all of the time they invested in the bond referendum. They did a fantastic job.” He adds that the next step is having a discussion with the School Board about what direction to go next.

The Greene County Board of Supervisors will canvass the votes at their regular meeting on Monday.