MOUNT VERNON — Unofficial election results are in, and members of the Mount Vernon City Schools administration are relieved. District residents were asked to renew a 2.75-mill emergency operating levy; 52 percent of those casting ballots voted in favor of the renewal, 48 percent voted no.

Superintendent Steve Short said he truly appreciates the community support.

“We will do our best to use the money wisely to serve the students of our district,” he added.

Other districts in the area did not fare so well.

East Knox voters, by a substantial margin, rejected a five-year, 1 percent earned income tax to pay for the district’s operating expenses. Six hundred sixty-one people voted for the tax (31.5 percent), while 1,437 (68.5 percent) voted against it. Superintendent John Marschhausen said he will be reviewing the district’s financial situation with the administrative team and Treasurer Jessi Busenburg, starting today. He said they will have to prepare a list of cost containment measures which is likely to include all specials such as art and music in the middle and elementary schools, as well as four to five regular teachers in those buildings.