Lebanon Community School Corp. referendum ekes through by 35 votes

Lebanon — By less than one percentage point, supporters and members of the Support Lebanon Students Political Action Committee learned late Tuesday night the Lebanon Community School Corporation referendum had passed, according to unofficial results.

After more than five hours of waiting following the closing of the polls, the PAC learned at 11:10 p.m. the referendum passed narrowly — by only 35 votes. It passed with 2,784 “yes” votes, compared to 2,749 “no” votes.

But the good news brought the exhausted supporters to their feet in cheers with hugs and exchanges of “congratulations.”

“I knew it would be close, but I’m a little surprised it was that close,” said Anne Patterson, PAC president. “We got the community behind us and couldn’t have done it without everyone.”

The news makes Lebanon the first school corporation in the county to successfully pass a referendum. Zionsville Community Schools’ referendum failed yesterday, and Western Boone’s was unsuccessful last spring.