FORT COVINGTON - Voters in the Salmon River Central School District voted down a proposed $36.6 million capital project by a 333 - 250 margin Tuesday.

Voters also elected Christopher Nye, the district’s former chief fiscal officer, to fill an unexpired two-year term on the school board.

“Concerning the capital project, the board’s going to have to deliberate on what options they have and make an announcement on what direction they’re going to go,” Superintendent of Schools Jane Collins said.

District officials had claimed the project would be 98 percent covered by state aid and would have no property tax impact. The proposed work would have completely renovated the elementary school and added a community fitness center and elevated walking track. It would also have added sports fields, a renovated bus garage, and replaced heating and ventilation systems.

Mr. Nye, a 42-year-old attorney, served as the district’s chief financial officer for seven years. He is an 1989 graduate of Salmon River.

The newly-elected school board member has said one of his goals will be to improve sharing of information within the district as well as with the community.

“I will encourage open and honest communication between the school district and the community we serve. I believe it is the school district’s duty to earn the trust of the community,” he said in an email.

Mr. Nye led the three-person field for the vacant board seat by garnering 326 votes. Sheila Marshall was the choice of 171 voters and Jacques Leduc received 84 votes.

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