Brookfield school officials passed out information bulletins, held public meetings and pleaded with voters to pass an operating levy.

Voters responded Tuesday with a resounding "no."

They overwhelmingly struck down the 4-mill levy, which school officials said was needed to support current operating costs, by a vote of 1,736 to 823.

Joanne Sydlowski, school board president, called the vote "a big disappointment for our students."

"They are the ones that have lost this evening," she said after learning of Tuesday's vote. "We worked hard to inform residents of the need for the levy. We felt we gave factual information and we hoped to continue to provide quality education for our students."

Mrs. Sydlowski said the issue will probably appear on the ballot next year.