Voters back school levies in Othello, Royal City
Wahluke levy passing, but a close call
SOUTH COUNTY — Three South County school districts ran levies on the Feb. 11 ballot. By Tuesday evening, Othello and Royal school district levies both had the 50 percent plus one majority needed to pass.
In Mattawa, the story was a bit different. The levy was failing with 49.88 percent for and 50.12 against, in the first ballot count Feb. 11. But in the days since, the levy took a turn and looks like it will pass. Final results won’t be certified until Friday, Feb. 21.
As of Friday, Feb. 14, the Othello School District levy was passing easily with 61.39 percent of the votes. In Othello, like most school districts, the levy would fund education programs and operations of the school district. It would fund athletics, early learning programs, curriculum updates, community education, technology, security, as well as some teachers’ salaries, school nurses, custodians and maintenance services.
The taxes to be collected in 2021 and 2022 are forecast to be $1.53 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The total collected in 2021 would be $2,350,000 and $2,435,000 in 2022.
“Passage of the EP&O Levy will allow us to continue to provide support with instruction, compensation, programs and operations within the district,” said Chris Hurst, superintendent of the Othello School District. “We want to share our gratitude and appreciation to the entire Othello community for your continued support of our schools and programs in an effort to improve student learning outcomes and achievement for our students. Thank you Othello!”
In Royal City, the school district levy was passing with 59.77 percent of the votes in favor, as of Friday. This levy would collect approximately $1,370,000 for 2021 and 2022. In 2021, the tax rate is forecast to be $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed value. The amount collected in 2022 would go down to $1.59 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“We are grateful for the tremendous support we receive from our community,” said Roger Trail, Royal School District superintendent. “The passing of the levy and last year’s bond are great measures of the confidence instilled in us by our local taxpayers. We look forward to making the most of this public assistance as we continue to create an excellent educational experience for all of our students.”
The other South County measure on the ballot was Proposition 1 for Grant County Hospital District No. 5, in Mattawa. With 51.37 percent of the votes in favor, the levy measure was headed for defeat. The hospital district operates Mattawa Community Medical Clinic.