By Craig Anderson

SMYRNA — A Smyrna School District referendum asking for capital funding passed Thursday, by a vote of 1,090-1,068.

Residents approved a $4.16 million item for the local portion of the construction of an intermediate school across from Sunnyside Elementary School.

The state’s share of the project is $13.9 million.

Results were unofficial Friday. Delaware Department of Elections staff will meet Monday to review results and determine certification.

That public meeting is set for 10 a.m. at 100 Enterprise Place in Dover.

District spokesperson Jessalynn Kenton said a call to district families explaining the vote’s results was scheduled for Friday, with an official statement next week.

Prior to Thursday’s vote, superintendent Dr. Susan Brown spoke on the focus of the referendum.

“The importance of this referendum and why we are asking our community to vote for it is that it will allow the school district to address current overcrowding in classrooms, it will address our vision for realignment for our schools and our grade levels, and it will allow us to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for children,” she said.

Earlier this year, voters in Smyrna rebuffed a referendum that asked for operating and other capital items, which were cut from Thursday’s proposal. The roughly $8.6 million capital item was rejected 1,079-874, while the approximately $5.5 million operating expense item was defeated 1,129-820.