The Albert Lea Area Schools $24.615 million referendum passed Tuesday with 53 percent of the vote.

If you’ve been on social media in the hours since, you’ve probably read reactions from very vocal people — both proponents and opponents.

This election has taught many lessons, including not only the power of voters but also the importance of taking time to educate yourself on issues — whether it is an issue that is at the center of an election or whether it is simply an issue talked about at a school board workshop.

Did you attend a presentation hosted by district leaders explaining the project or attend the tour to see the plans firsthand? Did you read the articles in this newspaper outlining the proposal in detail? Or did you come to your opinion based off of the opinions of others who are just sitting behind a screen?

No matter what your opinion, remember knowledge is power. Do your part to be educated.

Once you are educated, practice your right to vote by taking part in elections.

With all of the discussion on social media about this issue in the weeks leading up to the election, we thought it might be a gauge of the turnout we could expect to see. We were disappointed to see only 31 percent of registered voters took part in this election.

Though we recognize turnout at special elections is typically low, we wish more people took advantage of their right to vote. Voting is your opportunity to make your opinions count.

If you voted against this referendum because you wish you had more choices, remember you have had a choice in previous elections and will have a choice in future elections to elect people you think will lead the district in a manner you approve. That is why we have a school board.

We hope people will always take this choice seriously.

Moving forward from this vote, we encourage district administrators and the school board to be transparent with your decisions about this project. Keep the community informed about the process, as residents will be eagerly awaiting to see the completion.