M&O levy results in for school districts

COLUMBIA BASIN — All five proposed maintenance and operations (M&O) levies for Grant and Adams counties school districts passed Tuesday night.

There were 2,172 ballots cast in Grant County, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. There are about 150 ballots left to count. The next count is this afternoon.

There were 2,417 ballots cast in Adams County, according to the Adams County Auditor’s Office. There are about 500 ballots left to count. The next count is this afternoon.

Grant County school districts seeking replacement maintenance and operations levies were Warden, Wilson Creek, Royal City and Coulee-Hartline.

In Adams County, the Othello School District sought a levy replacement.

The levy enables school districts to purchase items or fund programs not supported by the state. When a school district passes a maintenance and operations levy, they receive additional funding from the state to keep the local levy at a minimum.

Coulee-Hartline: Passed

A $398,281 replacement maintenance and operations levy for 2011, with a $2.55 cost per $1,000, passed by 66 percent. The levy remains the same for 2012.

About 251 residents voted yes and 129 voted against the levy, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office.

“We’re really pleased,” said Jim Evans, district superintendent and principal. “Small schools rely on the levy for local support. We don’t get quite enough state funding, so the levy equalization piece is very important to districts that don’t generate as much assessed value as bigger districts.”

Royal City: Passed

A $970,000 levy with a cost of $2.30 per $1,000 of assessed value for property owners in 2011, passed by 62 percent. The levy increases to $1 million in 2012, with the same cost per $1,000 of assessed value.

About 426 residents were in favor of the levy, while 262 voted no, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office.

The replacement levy is a reduction from the previous levy by 25 cents. It provides 15 percent of the district’s total budget.

“We’re elated and the levy supports many of the programs we offer,” said Rosemarie Search, district superintendent. “Royal is a community that comes together and supports our schools and we’re really appreciative of that.”

The two-year levy supports student learning, extracurricular activities and the maintenance of schools. The support from levy dollars includes all student clubs, soccer, instructional materials, technology, student transportation, school nurses, music performances and professional development.

Othello: Passed

A $2 million, with a $2.62 cost per $1,000 assessed valuation for 2011, passed by 60 percent. The levy remains the same for the 2012 collection.

There were 683 residents supporting the levy and 451 residents voted against the levy, according to the Adams County Auditor’s Office.

“We want to express our appreciation to the Othello community for supporting our school,” said George Juarez, district superintendent. “Over the past several years, our community has been supportive of our schools by approving bonds and levies. This makes it easier for us to provide quality education in our district.”

The levy money helps maintain school facilities, grounds, equipment and vehicles. It pays for school programs, buses, curriculum and textbooks.

“We are very, very grateful,” Juarez said. “We would have found ourselves in a dire financial situation if this had not passed.”

Warden: Passed

The Warden School District‘s $927,000 levy, with a $3.20 cost per $1,000 assessed valuation, passed by 61 percent.

There were 277 residents in favor of the levy and 176 residents against the levy, according the Grant County Auditor’s Office.

The levy is increasing by 3 percent in 2011-2012. The levy total is $955,000 and the charge increases $3.29 per thousand.

The levy cost is the same as last year.

“I want to thank the voters in Warden for supporting our schools,” said Sandra Sheldon, district superintendent. “The community has always been a strong support system and I appreciate them stepping up to pass the levy in these financially-strapped times.”

The maintenance levy is 9 percent of the district budget. The district is receiving levy equalization dollars, another 9 percent of the district’s budget total.

“This is going to help us to continue to support the programs that aren’t funded by the state,” Sheldon said.

Wilson Creek: Passed

The proposed M&O levy for Wilson Creek passed by 69 percent.

About 104 residents voted yes and 46 voted against the levy.

In 2011, the levy is $220,000, costing property owners $3.69 cost per $1,000 assessed valuation, which is 31 cents lower than previous years.

The levy increases to $237,000 in 2012, with a $3.98 cost per $1,000 assessed valuation.

The total levy amount increased by $40,000 from previous years because value for the district’s tax base increased.

For information on Grant County election results, visit www.co.grant.wa.us/index.aspx.

For information on Adams County election results, visit www.co.adams.wa.us/.