Monroe school levy falling short

Published 9:02 pm Tuesday, November 2, 2010

MONROE — Voters are not providing the majority support needed for the Monroe School District to pass an $11 million levy.

The levy requires more than 50 percent approval and was falling short of that Tuesday night.

This is the second time the district has asked voters to approve a four-year, replacement educational-technology and capital-projects levy. The levy was first introduced to voters on an April ballot.

That request fell short by 424 votes, garnering 47 percent. The school board decided to give the levy another try, voting 4-1 to put it on the November ballot.

If the levy passes, it would replace a 2008 levy that will expire this year.

It would raise an average of $2.75 million a year and cost an estimated 54 cents per $1,000 of a home’s value in 2011 to 64 cents per $1,000 in 2014.

The money is to be used for technological upgrades, including new computers in classrooms, and to help repair school buildings and install new heating systems.

Monroe School District spokeswoman Rosemary O’Neil said the early results were disappointing.

“When our community came back and asked us to run it again, it was our hope that the economy and climate that we’re in now would improve and would be in a better spot,” O’Neil said. “I have to say that times have not gotten that much better.”

There are about 8,000 students in the Monroe School District.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.