With both school levies apparently on their way to passing, the key word from the school community is “grateful.”
“We’re grateful and we’re proud of our work on the campaign,” said Dennis Higgins, chair of Citizens for Kent Schools. “It seems like voters recognized the school board and school administrators tried to be responsible in this tough environment.”
As of 4:15 p.m. Feb. 10 Proposition 1, the district’s replacement maintenance and operations levy which constitutes 20 percent of the district’s budget was ahead in early returns with 11,381 voters, or 53.42 percent, checking the box for passage versus 9,925, or 46.58 “no” votes.
The margin is about the same for proposition 2, the district’s replacement technology levy with 10,694, or 52.86 percent, voting to approve the measure versus 47.14 percent or 9,536 voting against it.
Each measure requires a simple majority for passage.
According to King County, turnout for the election is 21392 out of 74,670 eligible voters for a turnout of 28.65 percent.
Turnout numbers should increase as more votes are counted.
Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas called the levy “critical.”
“A big thank you,” he said Wednesday.
School Board president Debbie Straus also said she was “grateful for community support” and said the passage of the levies, especially the M&O levy was critical for the school system.
“It means we can continue to operate and give kids access,” Straus said of the district’s programs.
She also added that the technology levy allows the district to continue to provide equal access to technology for all students, something only the schools can provide in a district with wide-ranging economic diversity.
Straus also thanked all of the volunteers who worked on the campaign.
According to Higgins, Citizens for Kent School, the group sent more than 20,000 mailers to voters in the district, put out 500 signs and made more than 21,000 phone calls urging residents to support the levy.
Higgins said it was nice to see the entire school community work together after the contentiousness of this past fall’s teacher strike.
For further results of the levy vote visit http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201002/results.aspx
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