Today, March 10, is the last day to submit your ballot for the two property tax levies proposed by the Oak Harbor School District.
Ballots must be brought to the post office before it closes to make sure they are postmarked on March 10. Alternately, they may be dropped off at the Island County Auditor’s Office in Coupeville no later than 4:30 p.m. The is the school district’s first all-mail election. Ballots were mailed out three weeks ago; there are no polling places open today.
At issue is a proposed two-part levy tax, that would fund existing school programs and boost math and technology district-wide.
With Levy 1, school officials are asking for a 74 cent per thousand property tax to maintain existing programs. Included in the current levy are 20 teachers, 12 support staff, two computer technicians and several Advanced Placement courses.
Levy 2, for 24 cents, can only take effect if Levy 1 passes. The levy would give additional support to the district’s math program by funding nine new math teachers, along with math coaches and assistants. It would also bring newer technology into the classroom.
If both section are approved for a total of 98 cents, the district will qualify for the maximum state match for its first time. An extra $800,000 would be given each year, compared to the $400,000 received today.
Property owners are currently paying 51 cents per thousand for the maintenance and operation levy approved four years ago.
Today’s election outcome is dependent on the simple majority, meaning the levy will pass only if 50 percent of voters say yes. In previous elections, the passage required a 60 percent supermajority but the law was changed by a vote of the people in 2007.
Rick Schulte, superintendent of schools, said that if the levy were to fail, layoffs for levy-funded staff would begin immediately.
Although the district could run another levy election, the earliest potential election date is in May. Schulte said layoffs must be approved before that time, according to state law.
Levy results will be posted on the Whidbey News-Times Web site tonight. The ballot counting process will begin shortly after the election officially ends at 8 p.m.
