BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Preliminary results from Tuesday’s special election paint a grim picture for the future of Meridian Middle School.

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office says that the $70.9 million bond proposal to replace the aging school is projected to fail.

48.7% of the votes tallied so far are in favor of the bond measure, far below the 60% needed to pass. Of the district’s 8,200 registered voters, only about 2,700 filled out and sent in their ballots.

The Auditor’s Office says there are just a handful of votes left to count.

This is the second time in the past year that a bond measure for a new middle school has been on the ballot for Meridian School District residents.

In November, a more expensive proposition also failed to reach the 60% passing threshold.