Cape Flattery schools levy reaps huge support

CLALLAM BAY — Cape Flattery School District voters overwhelmingly approved a four-year levy to provide services that go beyond core education areas.

The educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy received 204 yes votes, or 72.60 percent, to 77 no votes, or 27.40 percent, after the initial count of ballots on Tuesday night and a second count Wednesday.

The next count of ballots will be by 4:30 p.m. today

It will provide the district with about $360,000 for each of the next four years. It needed a simple majority — 50 percent plus one vote — for passage.

District Superintendent Michelle Parkin thanked the community for its continued support of the district, which includes schools in Clallam Bay and Neah Bay.

“Our communities have historically supported our levies in the past,” she said Wednesday, adding that the district made sure “that everybody knew how important this was to continue providing our systems with services that go beyond basic education.

Such services include social and emotional learning, problem-solving and life skills which “aren’t completely embedded into core curriculum like English language arts and science.

“Children today have challenges that our generations haven’t experienced growing up,” Parkin said. “They are surrounded by a lot more stress and high levels of stress.

“It’s important we’re not only addressing the cognitive learning of our students but also problem-solving skills [that will help develop] their abilities to contribute to our communities after graduation.”

The EP&O levy sets the levy rate at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Cape Flattery School District also will be eligible for $575,000 in levy equalization funds, Parkin has said.

“Our children really are our future leaders,” Parkin said Wednesday. “We are preparing the students that we have in our schools today to lead our communities in the future and that is where the support comes from.”

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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.