What’s been assumed since early results were released the evening of the Feb. 9 special election is now official.
Northshore School District voters have approved two replacement levies worth a total of $193 million over four years along with a $149 million bond sale to fund capital improvements and building maintenance around the district.
King and Snohomish election officials certified the results of the special election Feb. 24.
Combined numbers from both counties show Proposition 1, the $129 million operating levy, passing 18,753 to 9,171, or 67.1 to 32.8 percent.
A much smaller technology levy valued at $24 million was approved by a margin of 17,828 to 9,215, or 65.9 to 34 percent.
Finally, voters gave the bond sale the green light with a tally of 16,716 to 10,163, or 62.1 percent to 37.8 percent.
Of the school-district issues, the bond sale was the only that needed to gain a supermajority of 60 percent or better in order to gain approval.
School officials have said the operating levy represents 20 percent of the district’s budget. Proceeds will be used for various day-to-day schools costs. Beginning in 2011, when both levies take effect, the technology levy will begin helping place new electronics, such as computers and whiteboards, into classrooms around the district.
As for the bond issue, some evidence of its passage already is visible. With design work completed prior to the election, district officials wasted no time in beginning renovations to Pop Keeney Field in Bothell. District spokesperson Leanna Albrecht said some of the work at the field is related to last year’s sale of surrounding property to the city of Bothell. Other plans were dependent on passage of the bond sale.
Eventually, work in and around Pop Keeney will include new parking, a new covered grandstand, locker rooms and concession stands. Other work around the district will consist of improvements to Kenmore Junior High, along with roof replacements and similar undertakings at several additional schools.
Largely blaming cuts in state funding, Northshore officials cut $6.4 million out of their most recent budget. Superintendent Larry Francois has said passage of the renewal levies, including the large operating levy, does not mean potential future cuts have been avoided.
State lawmakers are expected to finish their current session March 11. That session should produce some budget recommendations. In a press release, district officials are bracing for what they say could be up to a $6 million cut in state funding coming to Northshore.
“Without community support of our local bond and levies, this shortfall would have been much greater,” said Northshore Board of Directors President Dawn McCravey. “Sixty-five percent of our budget comes from the state and we may have to make painful cuts to balance the 2010-11 budget.”
The board has set a number of public meetings on the district’s next budget for March 16-18.
