Lewisville school district officials watched earlier this month as a bond measure for a new special-events center narrowly failed on election night. They didn't know just how razor-thin that margin of defeat would turn out to be.

Before the absentee ballots were tallied, a scant 22 votes sank the $79 million plan for the facility. Once trustees canvassed the final election totals this week, they learned that the plan failed by only eight votes.

The final vote count: 3,721 against the bond, 3,713 for it.

"This is as tight of an election as we've had," Superintendent Jerry Roy said. "I was an advocate for this and would be less than honest if I said I wasn't disappointed.

"But it was the voters' choice and their decision."

He said there are no plans to seek a recount.

The ballot that went before Lewisville ISD voters May 10 included two school propositions: one for the special-events center and one for everything else.

Voters approved the other proposition, a $697 million package that includes nine new schools, renovations, technology updates and land purchases. It also pays to build an additional natatorium, high school stadium and career center.

That proposal brought 4,288 votes for and 3,149 against, about a 58 percent approval.

From the beginning, school board members said they would let voters decide the fate of a new events center. If approved, it would have been similar to others in Garland ISD and Katy ISD near Houston.

Those who supported the center said it could be used for the district's graduations, athletics, performances and concerts, as well as outside events.

But even as they set the election, the board was divided about the project. In February, trustees voted 4-3 to put the measure for the facility on the ballot. Tom Ferguson, Amber Fulton and Carol Kyer voted against the plan.

The trustees who didn't favor the special-events center said they didn't want to saddle taxpayers with another facility to maintain.

"I thought the vote would be close," Ms. Kyer said. "When it came to this proposal, it was too much for the district to take on. People are really stretching their dollars right now."

Ms. Kyer said she would not favor taking up the issue again unless the district is approached by the public.

"We would need to hear from the people who would use it most," she said.