Final vote tallies certified for special elections on Peninsula levies

PORT ANGELES — Special elections across the North Olympic Peninsula — in which voters approved five levies across four public school districts — have been certified.

Voters approved all five measures by more than 62 percent, more than the required simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote.

Port Angeles School District voters approved a $36.4 million education programs and operation replacement levy that will fund 22 percent of the district’s daily operating budget.

Of the 8,746 voters in the district who participated in the Feb. 14 special election, 69.96 percent voted in favor of the levy. There were 6,119 votes in favor and 2,627 votes against the measure.

PASD will levy $9.1 million annually for four years starting in 2018. It is a renewal of the levy approved by voters in 2015, which will expire at the end of 2017.

Voters in Sequim School District approved two levies: A capital projects levy and a renewal of the educations programs and operation levy.

The capital projects levy was approved by 67.56 percent of voters, with 8,546 voters in favor of the measure and 4,104 against.

For the capital projects levy, the district will levy $681,000 in 2018, $1.5 million in 2019 and $3.5 million in 2020, which will fund the demolition of the unused portion of the Sequim Community School and allow the district to qualify for $4.3 million in state matching funds for new school construction.

The $26.5 million educational programs and operation levy was approved by 66.59 percent of voters, with 8,424 in favor and 4,226 against.

It will allow the district to levy $6.32 million in 2018, $6.52 million in 2019, $6.72 million in 2020 and $6.92 million in 2021.

The educational programs and operation levy replaces the current levy, which expires at the end of 2017.

Quillayute Valley School District voters approved a replacement maintenance and operation levy by 65.94 percent, with 842 people in favor and 435 against.

The levy will allow the district to collect $714,304 annually for four years, which will be matched by the state at $3,188,144 each year.

Chimacum School District’s replacement levy, which accounts for 22 percent of the district’s budget, passed with 62.29 percent of the vote.

There were 2,930 votes in favor and 1,774 votes against the $14.75 million levy.

The district will collect $3.42 million in 2018, followed by $3.59 million in 2019, $3.77 million in 2020 and $3.96 million in 2021.

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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.