FAIRMONT– The Fairmont Area Schools $21.7 million building bond referendum was unsuccessful on Tuesday with unofficial results coming in with 1,247 no votes and just 648 yes votes.

At its heart, the referendum was for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including an addition to the fine arts learning center, a secure entry and office addition, renovations to locker rooms along with interior and exterior updates to buildings, including windows, and capital maintenance projects districtwide.

Superintendent Andy Traetow said, “Although this wasn’t the result we had hoped for, we respect our community’s decision and our school board looks forward to evaluating the steps we need to take to address our critical facility and educational needs to best support our students and staff.”

He extended thanks to all who voted and were involved in the process.

Separate from the building bond referendum, approximately $17.8 million of the school board’s existing levying funding will be used to address critical physical infrastructure needs in both schools, including building system improvements and roofing replacements. This funding was approved by the school board in July.

The last time the Fairmont Area School District went out for a building bond referendum was in 2021 when 67 percent of voters approved $6.73 million for an expanded vocational center at Fairmont High School.