UTICA — North Fork school administrators are celebrating, and breathing a collective sigh of relief.

On Tuesday, district residents renewed a three-year, 1 percent earned income tax levy that is used to pay for the district’s day-to-day operating expenses.

According to unofficial election results, Licking County voters approved the tax by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent. That is, 907 people voted for the tax and 706 voted against the renewal.

Knox County residents in the North Fork school district rejected the issue by 64 votes; 209 individuals voted for the tax and 273 voted against the tax.

School board president Bernard Snow said he is happy the levy passed. He said the district will still have to pinch pennies, but the money from the tax will help maintain quality education for the students.

Scott Hartley, superintendent, expressed his gratitude to the all of voters who supported the levy. He said passage of the levy makes the job of managing the district’s finances a little easier. Finances will still be tight, he said, but Tuesday’s vote moves the district closer to getting out of fiscal caution status.

Hartley said that although previous budget cuts may not be reinstated at this time, the status quo should be sustainable. He said the income tax renewal will help the district avoid immediate drastic cuts in services, programs and personnel.