Community Consolidated School District 15's referendum for authorization to issue $27 million in working cash bonds was soundly defeated by voters Nov. 2.

In unofficial returns, with 83 of 88 precincts reporting, the margin was 19,282 "no" to 9,550 "yes."

"I credit the community for getting themselves informed on this issue," said Mary Vanek, a member of Citizens for Accountability in D15, a group that opposed the referendum.

The more than 2-to-1 margin was not surprising to those who organized opposition to the measure or to school district officials.

"I don't think it's entirely surprising," said interim District 15 Superintendent Scott Thompson. "We need to connect to the community and figure out what the community wants for the future of the school district."

District officials never intended there be a referendum. In the spring, a majority of the school board voted in favor of issuing $27 million in bonds. About $17 million would be used for capital projects and about $10 million would be used as a working cash fund.

The move by the district lead a group of residents, Citizens for Accountability in D15, to circulate a petition to force the bond issue to a referendum. The petition was successful attracting 7,500 signatures. Despite the controversy, the school board decided to allow the referendum to go forward, rather than pull the measure off the ballot.

In the midst of the controversy, the district's superintendent, Daniel Lukich resigned. Thompson became superintendent this summer, inheriting the referendum issue. Thompson's recommendation to the board was that should the referendum pass no more than $16 million in bonds be issued and the money only be used for capital projects such as new roofs.

However, there were no limitations on how the money could be spent and no guarantee that Thompson's recommendation would be followed.

Since becoming superintendent Thompson has focused on launching a community outreach initiative – Navigate15 – to improve openness in the district and communication. A series of community meetings are planned, starting Nov. 16. Thompson said the district needs to better involve the community in planning its future.

"The process [that lead to the referendum] did not create that sense of partnership," Thompson said. "And that's what I'm going to work on."

Scott Herr, a member of Citizens for Accountability in D15, said the district had a long history of a lack of openness, but he hoped that would change.

"I think Navigate15 is a really good idea," Herr said. "But the devil is in the details."

Herr said he would like to see the district develop a long-term financial plan that incorporates the cost of capital needs and balances the budget.

As for the referendum failure, Thompson said the district still has capital needs that must be met but the communities input will be sought on how to address those needs.

"These are their schools," Thompson said. We need to ask them how they think we should take care of the schools."