Woodmore School District and Genoa School District in western Ottawa County had decidedly different results at the ballot box after a special election on Tuesday, May 4.

The Woodmore School District, in Elmore, had its 10-year, 6.4-mill school levy approved by local voters. Only a few miles away, the Genoa School District saw its 5-year, 5.9-mill replacement levy lose by a large margin for the second year in a row.

The Woodmore substitution levy, which passed 208-124, will bring in $1.43 million annually. It replaces two previous levies. Genoa’s levy would have brought in $1 million each year, but was turned down 831-511. The loss will likely trigger staff cuts.

With only the two school levies on the ballot for the special election, voter turnout was quite low. Only 1,674 of 8,116 registered registered voters — not quite 21% — cast a ballot.