The $97 million school-improvement bond in the Renton School District was falling just shy of the 60 percent yes vote needed for approval, following Tuesday night’s initial count of ballots.

The vote was 8,898 or 59.49 percent approval to 6,060 or 40.51 percent rejection.

The proceeds of the bond would build a much-needed new middle school and make other improvements throughout the school district..

The measure was placed on the April 17 special election ballot after it was narrowly rejected in the February special selection.

In other school races, voters in the Issaquah School District were easily approving a $219 million school bond and voters in the Mercer Island School District were overwhelmingly rejecting a $196 million school bond.

The Issaquah measure includes money for improvements to Liberty High School in Renton.

New results will be released daily at about 4 p.m.