A majority of Cashion voters were in favor of a bond issue to add classroom space and a new cafeteria.

But not enough of them. The 10-year, $21.5 million bond issue fell short of the super-majority needed in last Tuesday’s vote.

Of the 580 who voted, 332 (57.24 percent) were in favor of the issue while 248 (42.76) voted no.

Bond issues require a 60 percent approval to be passed. Out of 580 voters, that would have required 348 to vote yes.

“We were hopeful it would pass,” Cashion Superintendent Leon Ashlock said. “I appreciate and understand people’s opinions, especially when you’re dealing with a tax increase.”

Due to other bonds still on the books, Cashion residents would have seen about an 18 percent tax increase had the issue passed.

It would have supported the addition of five classrooms at the high school, two in the elementary and a new elementary cafeteria/ kitchen that would have also included a stage area.

Cashion has seen tremendous growth in recent years as its enrollment has grown by 260 students since 2014-15.

The district has added more than 30 students this year alone.

The growth isn’t expected to subside.

A recent forecast conducted by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association said Cashion’s enrollment will swell to more than 1,000 students in the next 10 years.

The forecast was based off a number of different data, including birth rates, economic conditions, new housing construction and more.

The bond issue wouldn’t have been a remedy to house the expected growth, but it would been a start, Ashlock said.

As it stands, Ashlock said the district has no empty classroom space for additional students.

“We are at capacity,” he told the Times & Free Press last month. “We have absolutely no empty classrooms.”

More students are expected by next school year (Cashion had 758 students as of last month).

Ashlock last week placed an order for portable buildings, which will house four classrooms.

They’re expected to be ready for use by the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

“That will be the first step to address our growth. That’s the only concrete plan right now,” Ashlock said. “All other plans are fluid.”

Among the options being discussed is gutting the auditorium and converting it into classroom space.

“We may be able to do some small-scale financing to get that done, but we don’t have a price tag yet,” Ashlock said.

Other plans, he added, will be discussed at the next - and future - board of education meetings.

“We’re disappointed in the outcome of the election because it will put a strain on the district as far as space is concerned,” Ashlock said.

“But we’ll continue to do our best to provide a good educational environment for all of our students.”