A 3-mill, five-year sinking fund-millage request sought Tuesday by Burr Oak Community Schools failed by a 20-vote margin.
Out of 202 votes cast, 111 rejected the proposal while 91 voted in favor.
The relatively close result could prompt district officials to consider asking for a similar request later, according to Superintendent Terry Conklin.
If approved, the request would have generated about $105,000 annually over the life of the proposed five-year millage. Conklin said building upgrades would have accounted for a large part of the revenue.
The request would have cost the average homeowner in the Burr Oak school district an additional $90 a year.