By The Chronicle staff
Nine local school levies were passing Tuesday night while a bond proposal in the Morton School District was falling short of the 60 percent needed to pass after initial counts, according to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office.
In Morton, 376 votes (55.79 percent) were in favor of the proposed bond while 298 votes (44.21 percent) were opposed.
Bonds need approval of more than 60 percent to be approved while levies need a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote.
In the Adna School District, 669 votes (60.43 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy and 438 votes (39.57 percent) were opposed. In the Boistfort School District, 170 votes (68.27 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy and 79 votes (31.73 percent) were opposed. In the Mossyrock School District, 651 votes (60.39 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy and 427 votes (39.61 percent) were opposed. In Napavine, 585 votes (57.35 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy and 435 votes (42.65 percent) were opposed. In Onalaska, 671 votes (51.18 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy and 640 (48.82 percent) were opposed. In Pe Ell, 243 voters (62.63 percent) were in favor of the proposed levy 145 votes (37.37 percent) were opposed. In Winlock, 492 votes (50.93 percent) were in favor of Proposition 1 and 474 (49.07 percent) were opposed. Also in Winlock, 473 votes (51.92 percent) were in favor of Proposition 2 with 438 votes (48.08 percent) opposed. In the Castle Rock School District, 1385 votes (52.76 percent) were in favor of a proposed levy while 1,240 votes (47.24 percent) were opposed.
The next count will be released on Wednesday with the certification date set for Feb. 18. Voter turnout was at 33 percent as of Tuesday night.
Results can be found at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20220208/lewis/.
Here are additional details of the proposals:
Adna School District Levy
- Request: To approve a four-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $1,075,489 in 2023, $1,135,489 in 2024, $1,195,489 in 2025 and $1,255,489 in 2026. The estimated levy rates would be $1.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023, $1.47 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024, $1.41 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025, and $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2026. The exact levy rates would be adjusted based on the actual assessed value of property within the district at the time of the levy.
- Why: To support the Adna School District’s educational programs and operations and to properly meet students’ educational needs that aren’t fully funded by the state, according to the district.
“The levy makes up approximately 10% of the district’s annual operations budget, providing for programs that are enhancements to what the state defines as basic education,” said the Adna School District in a written statement on the levy, adding, “Local levies are particularly powerful due to local control and the district has been able to spend local dollars based on the community’s priorities without state or federal government restrictions.”
Levy funds have previously been used to maintain district facilities, reduce class sizes and expand curriculums like robotics and FFA.
- Why now: The district’s current two-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy, which has a rate of $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed property value, expires this year. This proposal would replace the expiring levy at a lower rate.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Visit http://www.adnaschools.org/bondlevy-information.html.
Boistfort School District Levy
- Request: To approve a two-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $250,000 each year for two years at an estimated levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value for both years.
- Why: To support the Boistfort School District’s educational programs and operations, including teaching, school supplies, athletics, buildings and transportation.
- Why now: The district’s existing educational programs and operation tax levy expires this year.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Contact Boistfort School at 360-245-3343.
Morton School District Bond
- Request: To approve a $24.5 million general obligations bond to fund the expansion and renovation of Morton Junior-Senior High School. The project would involve constructing a new elementary school wing, a weight room and a new bus barn, as well as renovating the life skills, library and administration areas. In addition, the project would involve replacing windows and doors to improve energy efficiency, upgrading mechanical systems like heating and electrical systems, improving parking and traffic circulation, repairing some of the roof and making other capital improvements as needed.
- Why: Assessments of the district’s facilities have shown the Morton Elementary School building is failing and the district’s bus barn is not safe to use. A community-based facilities committee considered architectural recommendations based on safety, program needs and project costs for construction, site work, codes, removal of hazardous materials and future growth options, according to the school district. This proposal is based on input from the committee and views gathered in the community survey in the fall of 2021.
- Why now: The Morton School District previously proposed a $10.5 million bond in April 2017 to fund a similar project addressing the district’s facility needs, but it failed to reach the 60% voter approval rate needed to pass. The measure had 54.26% of the vote, or 325 votes, in favor and 45.74%, or 274 votes, against, according to previous reporting in The Chronicle.
- To pass: Requires a supermajority of over 60% of the vote.
- More information: Visit https://www.morton.k12.wa.us/, contact the Morton School District at 360-496-5300 or email Superintendent John Hannah at jhannah@morton.k12.wa.us.
Mossyrock School District Levy
- Request: To approve a three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $930,000 in 2023, $985,000 in 2024 and $1,015,000 in 2025. The estimated levy rates would be $1.14 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023, $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024, and $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025. The exact levy rates would be adjusted based on the actual assessed value of property within the district at the time of the levy.
- Why: To pay part of the cost of educational programs and operations for the Mossyrock School District, such as grounds and facilities maintenance, instructional materials, field trips, special education, after school programs and extracurriculars.
- Why now: The district’s current three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy, which has a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, expires this year. This proposal would replace the expiring levy at a lower rate.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Visit http://www.mossyrockschools.org/.
Napavine School District Levy
- Request: To approve a three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $1,075,000 in 2023, $1,155,000 in 2024 and $1,245,000 in 2025. The estimated levy rate would be $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value for all three years.
- Why: To support the Napavine School District’s educational programs and operations. “The Napavine School District prides itself with being good stewards of your levy dollars,” said the district in a written statement on the levy. The expiring 2019-2022 levy funded improved technology and facilities in the district, an enhanced curriculum for students, promoted academic success and helped support student excellence in co-curricular and extracurricular programs, according to the district.
- Why now: The Napavine School District’s current three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy, which has a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, expires this year. This proposal would replace the expiring levy at the same rate.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More Information: Visit https://www.napavineschools.org/.
Onalaska School District Levy
- Request: To approve a three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $1.2 million each year for three years. The estimated levy rate would be $1.41 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2023, $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024 and $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025.
- Why: To support the Onalaska School District’s educational programs and operations, including athletic programs, after school tutoring, field trips, utilities, facilities, special education and professional development.
“These programs benefit the majority of our students in a variety of areas,” said the Onalaska School District in a written statement on the levy. “Many of our students are in families that meet the criteria for the federal free and reduced program. These students need the support that the enrichment levy provides to succeed in school.”
- Why now: The Onalaska School District’s current three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy, which is set to collect $971,743 in 2022, expires this year. This proposal would replace the expiring levy at an increased rate.
“The increase is due to rising costs of fuel for our buses that transport our athletic and activity programs, increased cost for extra-duty stipends and associated payroll costs, and costs for our programs that are not fully funded by the state in their basic education formula,” said the district in a written statement.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Visit https://www.onysd.wednet.edu/.
Pe Ell School District Levy
- Request: To approve a three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $350,000 each year for three years. The estimated levy rate would be $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed property value for all three years.
- Why: To pay part of the cost of educational programs and operations for the Pe Ell School District, including athletics, activities, health and counseling services, transportation, technology, infrastructure, special education and technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.
- Why now: The district’s current two-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy expires this year. This proposal would replace the expiring levy.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Contact the Pe Ell School District at 360-291-3244.
Winlock School District Proposition No. 1
- Request: To approve a three-year general fund educational programs and operation tax levy. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $945,000 in 2023, $990,000 in 2024 and $1,015,000 in 2025. The estimated levy rate would be $1.50 for all three years.
- Why: To pay part of the cost of educational programs and operations for the Winlock School District, such as grounds and facilities maintenance, instructional materials, field trips, special education, after school programs and extracurriculars.
- Why now: The district’s current general fund educational programs and operations tax levy expires this year.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Visit https://www.winlockschools.org/page/wsd-levy-information.
Winlock School District Proposition No. 2
- Request: To approve a three-year capital levy for safety, security infrastructure and technology improvements. The levy would allow the district to collect a total of $180,000 in 2023, $190,000 in 2024 and $195,000 in 2025. The estimated levy rate would be 25 cents for all three years.
- Why: To fund capital improvements, such as security systems and technology upgrades, throughout existing school facilities. “It is important to recognize we provide a 13-year service. As in all communities, having schools operational is always a priority to ensure the next generation is as skilled and educated as possible to learn from this experience, and hopefully prevent/reduce future similar events,” said the Winlock School District in a written statement.
- Why now: The district’s current capital levy expires this year.
- To pass: Requires a simple majority of over 50% of the vote.
- More information: Visit https://www.winlockschools.org/page/wsd-levy-information.
