Coupeville voters pass pair of school levys

Central Whidbey voters gave Coupeville schools two thumbs up Tuesday. Two levies proposed by the Coupeville School District appear to be passing with the approval rates over the 60 percent mark.

By Nathan Whalen • February 21, 2014 6:29 pm

Central Whidbey voters gave Coupeville schools two thumbs up Tuesday.

Two levies proposed by the Coupeville School District appear to be passing with the approval rates over the 60 percent mark.

“We’re very happy and thrilled that it passed,” said Superintendent Jim Shank Tuesday night shortly after the initial results were released by the Island County Auditors Office.

He added that he’s grateful for the support the community has given the school district.

The first levy, which is a maintenance and operations levy, was passing with 63.39 percent voter approval Tuesday, Feb. 11. After a second count Thursday that number increased to more than 64 percent.

The operations levy will bring in $2.24 million a year for the next four years. It helps pay the salaries of additional teachers, para-educators, a school nurse, counseling, instructional materials and more.

The levy will cost a home owner an estimated $1.14 per $1,000 assessed property value, according to the school district’s website.

The technology levy is also passing according to information from the auditor’s office.

According to the initial count, 62.58 percent of voters approved the technology levy. The number also increased Thursday to more than 63 percent.

That levy will give the school district $300,000 a year for the next four years to help pay for technology upgrades.

That levy will cost a homeowner an estimated 15 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, according to the school district’s website.

Of the more than 7,000 ballots mailed out to voters late last month, the Island County Auditor’s Office received 3,538, with a current turnout of 49 percent.

Both measures had to pass with a 50 percent simple majority.

Elections officials will continue to receive ballots from the mail-in election in the coming days. Those ballots had to be postmarked by Feb. 11 in order to be counted.

The auditor’s office as of Thursday evening had no more ballots left to count.

The results aren’t official until the auditor certifies the election, which will take place Feb. 25.