Litchfield School District voters soundly rejected any school-related increase in their taxes Nov. 4.

It might be tempting to blame the 56-percent ‘no’ vote on the economy. As popular wisdom goes, nobody wants an increase in their taxes, and they want it even less so when the economy is in the dire straits it is today.

Except the vote cannot be explained quite so simply. While voters in the district rejected a property tax increase that would benefit Litchfield Schools, they voted solidly (53 percent) for the so-called Clean Water Amendment, which will add 3/8 of a percent to the state sales tax.

It was estimated that a “yes” on the Clean Water Amendment would mean that a household with an income of $45,582 to $58,509 would pay about $52 more in sales tax annually. Meanwhile, a “yes” on the Litchfield School District levy request would have cost the owner of a $75,000 to $150,000 house $45 to $90 more annually.

Using those numbers, it seems that a “no” on the Litchfield Schools levy question was about more than money. But what?

That’s something the School Board and administration must try to determine as they move forward.