OTSELIC – Voters in Otselic Valley rejected a proposed $22 million capital building project Tuesday.

A large number of district residents turned out for Tuesday’s vote, which drew approximately 500 voters. In the past three school budget votes, the highest turnout was just over 300. Preliminary numbers show the proposal failed 288 to 203; however, absentee ballots have not yet been counted.

The proposed building project called for the creation of a combined kindergarten through 12th grade campus in South Otselic, where the high school is currently located. The elementary school building in Georgetown would have been closed.

“It was closer than it could have been,” said District Superintendent Larry Thomas. “There were two factors that affected us. The economy definitely didn’t help, and closing a school is an emotional issue.”