BLUE EARTH - Voters at Blue Earth Area renewed their school's excess levy Tuesday.

Nearly 82 percent of the votes cast were in favor of renewal of the five-year added tax.

Superintendent Dale Brandsoy was pleased with voter turnout.

"We were concerned because it was the only question on the ballot," he said. "We're very pleased with the turnout. We're overwhelmed by the 'Yes' votes. It's a real vote of confidence for Blue Earth Area schools, their staff, their students and their schools."

Blue Earth, Frost, Elmore, Delavan and Easton voters all supported the referendum.

In Blue Earth, 688 voted yes, 106 no; Frost 119 yes, 25 no; Elmore 94 yes, 23 no; Delavan 122 yes, 54 no; and Winnebago 176 yes, 62 no.

The lowest approval percentage was from Delavan with 69 percent; Winnebago followed at 72 percent; Elmore 80 percent; Frost 82 percent; and Blue Earth 86 percent.

Nearly 30 percent of registered voters turned out Tuesday.

Brandsoy was impressed that all five communities supported the levy. He had been concerned about the economy affecting people's votes.

"That's why the board was very concerned about it," he said. "They kept the amount the same and did not increase anything - that was due to the economic conditions we're in right now."

School board member Shane Becker said he was speechless about the win.

"It's good for the school district and it's good for the kids of the community," he added. "It's a way of helping ensure a good education - quality education - for all the students of Blue Earth Area."

Becker was a member of the "Vote Yes" committee. He felt the success of the committee showed in the numbers Tuesday.

"It's good to see that the work paid off and the message got out to everybody," he said.

Brandsoy said the district will review the votes on Monday to make sure everything is correct, and then the referendum will be recognized on the district's levy sheets.

"We'll still have to be looking at reductions to balance the budget," Brandsoy said. "Basically due to rising costs of different items we do not have control over, plus loss of students. Because of that, we will have to continue looking at reductions and we've done that every year to keep our revenues and expenditures in line."

The district will begin revising this year's budget in January and then look at reductions. It doesn't set the next school year's budget - which Tuesday's referendum affects - until April or May.

"This will give us a start now," Brandsoy said. "We can see what revenue we generate."