PORT ANGELES — More than 71 percent of Port Angeles School District voters approved a two-year maintenance and operations levy in a stunning show of support for teachers, extracurricular activities and school busing that could have vanished next school year.

With more than 10,629 ballots counted Tuesday night, unofficial results from the Clallam County Auditor’s Office showed 71.37 percent of voters — or 7,586 — supported the levy that needed minimum 60 percent approval to win.

Only 28.6 percent — or 3,043 voters — were against the levy, which will much of the gap between state and federal funding and actual maintenance and operational costs in the district five elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and Choice alternative high school during the next two years.

“I believe this vote is a very strong statement for kids, for schools and for the future of Port Angeles,” said an elated Gary Cohn, district superintendent, on learning the results just after 8 p.m. at election central in the Clallam County Courthouse.

“The passage will ensure our ability to keep the commitment to educational programs, and to support our students and staff without compromising vital portions of a well-rounded education.”

Additional ballots

Landslide victory is virtually assured even though at least 512 ballots that arrived Tuesday plus any that arrive today won’t be counted until Thursday.

Voter turnout in the all-mail election topped 57 percent, said Cathleen McKeown, county auditor.

Tuesday night’s result was an impressive turnaround to the school district’s first attempt at a new levy, which failed in February by about 4 percent.

If the latest levy had failed — there were no more election chances in 2005 — the School Board would have implemented an already approved plan to cut about $4.5 million in salaries, extracurricular programs and transportation from the school district’s budget for the 2005-2006 school year.

But that exercise — which worried countless students, teachers and parents — is now stopped in its tracks.

“Our students will ride buses to school and they will continue their participation in athletics and music,” said School Board President Nancy McLaughlin.

“Class sizes will not be increased and we will not have to lay off teachers and staff.”