Tuesday was a disappointing night for several school districts in Lewis County, as three of the four levy and bond proposals on the Feb. 14 special election ballot were failing on election night.
Evaline School District Replacement Levy
Evaline School District’s replacement educational programs and operations levy was the only measure passing on election night, with 186 ballots, 73.52% of the vote, in favor and 67 ballots, 26.48%, opposed.
The levy proposal replaces the existing levy that expires at the end of 2023 at the same amount, allowing the district to continue collecting $190,000 in property taxes through 2025.
Napavine School District Bond Proposal
While more Napavine-area voters have voted in favor of the Napavine School District's $17 million bond proposal than have voted against it, the ballot measure hadn’t received the required 60% supermajority as of the latest ballot count.
As of election night, 52.94% of the vote, 594 ballots, were in favor and 47.06%, 528 ballots, were opposed.
If passed, the bond would fund expansions and renovations to Napavine’s Junior/Senior High School, with the goal of moving middle school students out of outdated portable classrooms and increasing the life of the school’s existing facilities.
Toledo School District Capital Projects Levy
Toledo School District’s stadium completion capital projects levy was failing on election night 58% to 42%, or 830 votes to 601.
If approved, the levy will be in effect from January 2024 through December 2027 and taxpayers would pay $0.90 per $1,000 of accessed property value while in effect.
The measure would fund upgrades to Toledo’s track and stadium, including a new rubberized track and field to improve safety for athletes and allow Toledo High School to host track meets, new restrooms, a concession stand and an enclosed grandstand to provide shelter during adverse weather.
Centralia School District Replacement Programs and Operations Levy
The Centralia School District’s replacement educational programs and operations levy was failing by 136 votes on election night, with 2,242 ballots, or 51.55% of the vote, opposed and 2,107 ballots, 48.45% of the vote, in favor.
If passed, the district would collect no more than $6.7 million in 2024 and no more than $7.6 million in 2025 for educational programs and operations. The district’s existing levy, which expires at the end of 2023, allows it to collect no more than $4.6 million for the current year.
The Centralia School District operated without levy dollars between December 2020 and the 2022 levy collection cycle — leading to layoffs last summer — after multiple attempts to pass a replacement levy failed at the ballot box.
If the current levy proposal fails, the district has one more opportunity to try and pass a levy before the existing levy expires at the end of the year.
“We are disappointed in the initial results, but we remain hopeful. There are many ballots left to count and it is close,” Centralia Superintendent Lisa Grant told The Chronicle on Wednesday, adding that she is thankful for the support the district has received from community members leading up to election night.
“No matter what, we remain focused on serving our students and moving our district forward. We will be relentless in this effort. I am proud of our district and am proud to serve as the Centralia School District superintendent,” she said.
Turnout
Lewis County had a 32.58% voter turnout as of election night, according to data from the Lewis County Auditor’s Office, which counted 7,080 ballots on Feb. 14.
Thurston County, which had voters eligible to vote on the Centralia School District levy, had a voter turnout of 28.72%, with 85 ballots counted on election night.
Election certification will take place Feb. 24.
To see updated counts, visit https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20230214/lewis/.
