AITKIN — It’s a no for a new elementary school in Aitkin.

Fifty-three percent of voters opposed a bond referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 4, that sought funds to build a school to replace Rippleside Elementary.

Of the votes cast, 1,760 opposed the measure, while 1,549 were in favor. The $59.44 million requested in the first ballot question would have funded a new transportation center as well.

Question 2 — which only could have passed if the first question passed — sought another $6 million to add a wellness center to the new elementary school. More than 56% of voters opposed that question, with 1,419 no votes and 1,859 yes votes.

The first question on the ballot in Aitkin asked voters to support bonds over the next 20 years to construct a new elementary school to replace the aging Rippleside

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