A bond to renovate Walla Walla High School has failed after months of fierce debate from community members. In a close vote of 5,056 to 4,430, the bond failed to receive the required 60 percent necessary for passage. Only 128 ballots remain to be counted, and the election results will be formally certified by the county auditor later this month.

If passed, the $48 million bond would have would have modernized the 1963 campus to meet security concerns and academic standards. The measure would have increase property taxes by a projected 68 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value over the course of the 20 year bond. Many Walla Wallans expressed concern prior to the vote at the tax raises in a number of opinion pieces published in the Union-Bulletin.

Miller expressed his disappointment at the results, released at eight o’clock tonight. When asked of plans to move forward, he said, “We don’t know yet. We’re very disappointed.”