The fate of a $189 million bond measure to repair and improve aging Medford schools was unclear late Tuesday.

Out of the 78 percent of ballots counted, about 50.7 percent were against the measure, while 49.3 percent were in favor.

The measure calls for replacing South Medford High and Lone Pine Elementary; remodeling North Medford High and Jackson, Oak Grove, Roosevelt and Washington elementary schools; and repairs, lead and asbestos removal and modernizations at 11 other campuses.

"It's been a year of work on this bond package," said Larry Nicholson, chairman of the Medford School Board. "Whatever happens, there has been a lot of (public) revelations about the conditions of our buildings. We won't lose that, and we won't lose the supporters' commitment to resolve those issues."

Meanwhile, a $46.8 million bond measure in the Ashland School District appeared to be on the path to approval by 54.2 percent to 45.8 percent. That bond issue would replace Bellview Elementary and modernize five other campuses.

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"It looks like we're going to win," said Carol Davis, co-chair of the Ashland school bond campaign committee. "We're very excited and thankful to the voters of Ashland that they support education."

The bond measure will bring the Ashland district property tax rate up by $2 per $1,000 of assessed value. Assessed value is generally half of market value.

The Medford bond issue cost property taxpayers an average of $1.36 per $1,000 over 29 years, peaking at $1.98 in 2011 and receding from there.

Supporters of the Medford schools bond issue left the Jackson County Elections Office with long faces around 9:30 p.m. expecting a defeat.

By 11 p.m., the measure's prospects brightened, but an outcome was not expected until early today.

Mark Wisnovsky, co-chairman of the Medford schools bond campaign committee, said passage of the bond would make schools safer for students and staff and present a more positive image to businesses considering relocating to Medford.

Opponents said the measure was overly ambitious.

"The bond measure was just too big," said Steve Plunk, parent of a North Medford High student. If the measure fails, "the school district should probably think about coming back with a smaller amount."

Karen Starchvick, parent of a Jacksonville Elementary student, said she was participating in phone banks until Tuesday afternoon to campaign for the bond measure.

"I was telling people the bond election is going to come down to a couple of hundred votes," Starchvick said. "I was trying to encourage them to vote. I didn't think it actually would come down to a couple hundred votes."

Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or pachen@mailtribune.com.