WARDEN — A proposed $14 million school bond for this tiny school district at the southeastern edge of Grant County failed to obtain the necessary 60 percent for approval.

According to the Grant County auditor, the bond — which appeared on the April 24 ballot — received a total of 527 votes in both Grant and Adams counties, with 292 voters casting “yes” ballots and 235 voting “no,” for a total of 55.9 percent approval.

The construction levy needed 317 votes, or 60 percent, to pass.

“When we look at the numbers, it was closer than it first appeared,” said Warden School District Superintendent David LaBounty.

Warden voters and parents face an all-too-familiar situation — a small school system burdened by a coming tidal wave of children, and facilities stretched to the limit to house them all.

The $19 million expansion project — $14 million in bond construction funds combined with $5.2 million in state assistance — would have refurbished and expanded the town’s elementary school as well as build a second gym and indoor common area for the high school and improve security at both schools.

LaBounty said the matter now rests with the school board, which must decide what to do next.

“I await the board as they seek community input,” LaBounty said. “We await the next steps.”