Voters in five area counties decisively voted down a permanent three mill increase to construct a north campus of Mid-America Technology Center in a special election Tuesday.

The measure failed 4,167 (75.15%) to 1,378 (24.85%) from voters in McClain, Cleveland, Garvin, Grady and Pottawatomie Counties, all of which have high school students who attend MATC.

“August 13 was our first day of school at MATC,” superintendent Mike Eubank said.  “We are, of course, disappointed with the outcome, but fully intend to move forward with the direction our voters have determined. This will be our best year.”