EVERETT — Voters across Snohomish County were largely approving levies and bonds for school district funding as preliminary results came in Tuesday night, with a few exceptions.
Levies in Darrington and Monroe were failing, and bonds in Monroe, Mukilteo and Northshore were just short of the 60% threshold.
Twelve school districts and one fire district asked voters to decide on measures in Tuesday’s special election.
Bond measures fund capital construction projects and require a 60% supermajority to pass. Local levies require 50% of votes to pass and provide ongoing funding for educational programs that aren’t funded by the state, including extracurricular activities, support staff and technology. In addition, the turnout must equal 40% of the voters who cast ballots in the last General Election.
Here are the results as of the first ballot drop Tuesday night:
Darrington School District
Darrington School District voters were rejecting a renewal of the district’s operations and maintenance levy with only 44.6% of votes in favor Tuesday. The levy would raise between $1.7 million and $1.9 million per year for staff, extracurriculars and student meals, among other programs.
Edmonds School District
The Edmonds School District asked voters for a renewal of its $361 million programs and operations levy, which was passing with 62.6% of votes Tuesday. The levy will go toward extracurricular activities, staff, and Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.
Everett Public Schools
Everett Public Schools put forth a nearly $400 million capital bond measure and a $361 million operations levy renewal for the special election. On Tuesday, the bond and levy were passing with 62.6% and 63.4% of the vote, respectively. The bond will fund a new elementary school and various building improvements. The levy funds Advanced Placement programs, staff support, extracurriculars and other funding gaps.
Granite Falls School District
Granite Falls School District was seeking two levy replacements. The $26 million programs and operations levy would fund extracurricular activities, staff and transportation, among other programs. The levy was passing with 55.4% of the vote. The $24 million capital and technology levy will pay for laptop replacements, high school library improvements, and building upgrades and maintenance. The capital and technology levy was also passing with 55.5% of the vote.
Index School District
The Index School District sought a renewal of its $6 million programs and operations levy, which supports educational programs and operations, teaching, school supplies, technology, buildings and transportation, according to the district. Voters were approving the levy with 77.8% of the vote Tuesday.
Lake Stevens School District
The Lake Stevens School District put forth two levy renewals. With 54.6% of the vote, voters were approving the $100 million educational programs and operations levy, which helps fund school safety, nurses and mental health professionals, and extracurriculars, among other programs. The technology levy pays for classroom equipment, data protection, infrastructure upgrades and technology support. It was passing with 54.9% of the vote Tuesday.
Monroe School District
Monroe School District sought a construction bond and a renewal of its educational programs and operations levy, which were both failing Tuesday with 47.7% and 49.2% of votes in favor, respectively. The $152 million bond would fund district-wide building and safety improvements. The $100 million levy funds extracurriculars, school safety, nurses, counselors and paraeducators, among other programs.
Mukilteo School District
Mukilteo School District put forth a levy renewal and a bond measure. The $265 million programs and operations levy was passing with 57.8% of the vote and funds extracurricular activities, school resource officers and special education. The $400 million bond would pay for two school replacements and district-wide building upgrades. Only 55.7% of voters were approving the bond Tuesday, short of the 60% threshold.
Northshore School District
Northshore School District sought three different funding measures. A $413 million operations levy renewal had 60.4% of the vote and will fund extracurricular activities, support staff and student support services. A $700 million bond that would pay for district-wide construction projects had 59.2% of the vote, just short of the 60% threshold. A $142 million technology levy was passing with 60.2% of the vote. The levy funds technology upgrades, infrastructure modernization and technical skills development.
Snohomish School District
Snohomish School District sought renewals of its operations and technology levies. The levies were passing with 56.1% and 57.9% of the vote, respectively. The $172 million operations levy funds paraeducators, psychologists, substitute teachers, security personnel and extracurricular programs. The $57.4 million technology and safety levy helps fund technology infrastructure, technical support, security cameras and various building repairs.
Stanwood-Camano School District
Stanwood-Camano sought $19.2 million a safety and infrastructure capital levy to replace aging roofs, improve lighting and HVAC systems, make repairs to playgrounds and sidewalks, replace flooring and windows, and upgrade networks. On Tuesday, the levy was passing with 54% of the vote.
Sultan School District
Sultan School District asked for a renewal of its operations and capital levies, which were passing Tuesday with 51% and 50.1% of the vote, respectively. The $25.5 million operations levy funds support staff, extracurricular activities and special education, among other programs. The $14 million capital levy pays for security improvements, building repairs and technological upgrades.
Snohomish County Fire District No. 22
The Snohomish County Fire District No. 22, which provides services in the Getchell area — between Marysville and Granite Falls — asked for approval of a $14 million bond for a fire station replacement. The levy was passing with 71.7% of the vote on Tuesday.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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