Redmond School District’s $70 million bond was too close to call Tuesday night, with early general election results showing a slight majority of “no” votes.

Initial returns show the small sliver of school district residents in Jefferson County opposed the bond by a two-to-one margin, but voters in Deschutes County nearly voted 50-50, with a very slim majority of votes going against the bond.

District spokesperson Rainier Butler said the district is “hopeful that (the vote) will trend our way” as more ballots are counted through the night.

“Obviously, we can see that we’re down, and that doesn’t look great right now … but we remain hopeful that it will change over time,” he said. “We’re going to check out for the night and revisit in the morning and see where we’re at.”

About $27 million of the bond would go toward rebuilding the aging M.A. Lynch Elementary, which was built in 1965 and suffers from structural problems. The district’s website said Lynch was built “with lower quality construction,” and Superintendent Mike McIntosh told The Bulletin earlier this year that during heavy snowfalls, the school’s roof sags.

The bond will also fund security measures if passed, such as upgrading security camera systems, eliminating multiple entryways at middle and high schools, adding a secure lobby at each elementary school and replacing the district’s emergency communications system. Schools throughout the district will receive LED lighting and energy-efficient windows, along with technology upgrades to modernize classrooms.

If the bond passes, homeowners in the 550-square-mile school district will pay $9 per month for homes valued at $200,000.

The district has discussed putting this bond on the ballot for several months and nearly had voters vote on the bond in May.

— Reporter: 541-617-7854, jhogan@bendbulletin.com