History repeated itself Tuesday night as Edmonds School District officials and parents learned that the proposed bond and levy failed to earn the supermajority vote required for passage.
The final ballot count Tuesday night showed a 56.38 percent approval for the safety bond and a 56.34 percent approval for the technology levy. Both the bond and the levy were also on the February 2002 ballot, but did not receive the necessary 60 percent vote to pass.
Superintendent Wayne Robertson said he felt the results were a clear measure of citizens’ fears for the economic future.
“It’s just a tough time to pass a tax increase,” said Citizens for Schools co-chair Vi Walls . “That’s just the reality of it.”
The bond measure would have cost property owners 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for the next 20 years. The levy would cost 55 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for three years.
If both measures had been approved, property owners would have paid an estimated $5.64 in tax per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The bond would have paid for new Lynnwood and Scriber Lake high schools, earthquake safety improvements at schools more than 10 years old and other various needs.
The levy would have supplied new technology equipment, faster Internet access and technical support for staff.
“There’s not much we can do about the economy,” Robertson concluded. “But the needs are still there.”
Devone Miles, office manager for the capitol projects department for the district, said she and her husband Jeff felt it was unfair that the measures had to pass with a supermajority vote.
“It’s stupid. Nothing else but school bonds and levies need to have the supermajority,” Jeff Miles said. “To take away from kids like this is idiocy at the state level.”
The Miles’ said that even though Jeff Miles is currently on unemployment, they would have gladly paid the extra $250 property tax per year.
“We know what education means and what the improvements to the schools would mean,” Jeff Miles said.
Overall, the district said they are pleased with the support they received from families and staff.
“We feel really good about the campaign we ran, and the efforts are admirable,” assistant superintendent Ken Limon said.
Robertson agreed, but stressed that the needs of the district will not change.
“I have no regrets, but the bond and levy will have to eventually pass,” Robertson said. “The bond will just end up costing more.”
The next step the district will take has not been decided, Robertson said.
“Right now I think we’ll regoup, take a close look at the numbers and give it some time.”
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