Most, but not all, school levies approved in final election results

EPHRATA — Elections results for Feb. 8 special elections for all counties in the state of Washington were canvassed and adopted as final on Friday.

Voters narrowly rejected an educational programs and operations levy in the Wahluke School District in Mattawa, and Othello School District patrons rejected a construction bond request. Grand Coulee School District voters rejected an EP&O levy and a capital levy request.

Results of the Feb. 8 special election were certified Feb. 18.

Educational programs and operations levy requests were approved in the Quincy, Wilson Creek and Royal school districts. Warden School District voters approved a EP&O levy and a capital levy. Soap Lake residents approved an increase in the city’s sales tax to pay for street improvements.

Soap Lake residents said yes to a 0.02% sales tax increase designed to fund street improvements; the proposal received 197 yes votes and 96 no votes. The measure required a simple majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.

But Wahluke district patrons said no to a two-year EP&O levy by a narrow margin, 294 no votes to 281 yes votes. School EP&O levies require a bare majority to pass.

District superintendent Andy Harlow said Feb. 16 that Wahluke School Board members decided to resubmit the levy to voters in April.

Othello district patrons rejected the $51 million construction bond proposal, with 764 no votes to 651 yes votes. A bond proposal requires approval from 60% of participating voters to pass.

The bond would have paid for upgrades to Othello High School, McFarland Middle School and Scootney Springs, Hiawatha and Lutacaga elementary schools.

Ed Petersen, OSD director of communications, said district officials plan to sponsor a series of community meetings before deciding whether to submit another proposal.

Quincy voters easily approved a four-year EP&O levy request, with 1,115 yes votes to 714 no votes. The levy will raise $8.4 million in 2023, $8.6 million in 2024, $8.9 million in 2025 and $9.1 million in 2026.

Warden School District voters approved two proposals, the first an EP&O levy and the second a capital levy for technology improvements. The EP&O levy received 264 yes votes and 166 no votes, while the technology improvement levy received 266 yes votes and 144 no votes.

The two-year EP&O levy is expected to generate $1.25 million in 2023 and $1.3 million in 2024. The technology improvement levy will provide $143,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in 2024.

Royal School District voters approved a two-year EP&O levy by a wide margin, 408 yes votes to 244 no votes. The levy is expected to generate about $1.37 million per year for the district.

Grand Coulee district voters rejected a four-year EP&O levy request, 655 no votes to 512 yes votes. A four-year Grand Coulee district capital levy request to fund safety and technology improvements also failed, with 624 no votes and 502 yes votes.

Wilson Creek School District patrons approved a two-year EP&O levy proposal by a wide margin, 96 yes votes to 45 no votes. The levy will generate $263,500 each year.

Voters in the Coulee-Hartline School District passed a two-year EP&O levy request, with 313 yes votes and 128 no votes. The levy will provide about $351,000 each year.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.