Voters in Alden and Conger gave the district permission to redesignate surplus funding for future projects Tuesday.

According to results from the Minnesota Secretary of State, the referendum passed with 519 yes votes, 72.89 percent of votes. Those opposing the referendum garnered 193 votes, or 27.11 percent.

Alden-Conger’s referendum asked voters if the district could use the $1 million leftover from its general obligation facilities maintenance bonds three years ago for the “acquisition and betterment of school facilities.”

Though the ballot mentioned construction of a school vehicle garage and storage, parking lot improvements and sports complex improvements, Alden-Conger Superintendent Brian Shanks said those came from the original discussion related to bonds three years ago as parts of the project that ended up on the cutting room floor.

“In terms of priority, there really hasn’t been any priority list set,” he said. “It was just, ‘These are some ideas of things in the community and brought to our attention previously, and we’re also open to other ideas.’”

Both Shanks and Alden-Conger school board chairman Ryan Merkouris said the district will host discussions between the school board and community to come up with different ideas about where to make improvements. It’s somewhat deja vu, as Shanks said similar steps were taken three years ago when facility maintenance funds were being divvied out. The process now will help the district find out what the community is looking for, Shanks said.

The superintendent said he was excited by the results of the referendum and thanked voters for putting a priority on helping the district.

“Without the community support — small-town community, small school — there’s no way that we can ever hope to get some of these things accomplished unless we have the support of the community,” Shanks said. “And time and time again, the residents of Alden and Conger have stepped forward and said yes.”