PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County voters have approved levy increases for three public school districts in Tuesday’s special election, with only Quilcene’s levy request in doubt as of Wednesday.
Voters in the Queets-Clearwater, Brinnon and Chimacum public school districts all approved levy increases for their districts.
But the first count of ballots showed Quilcene School District voters opposing the measure by 12 votes: 341 votes, or 50.9 percent, opposed to 329 votes, or 49.1 percent, in favor.
According to Jefferson County Elections Coordinator Quinn Grewell, several hundred ballots still remained to be counted with the next count scheduled before 4 p.m. today. It’s unknown how many of the uncounted ballots come from Quilcene, as that information is placed inside the ballot envelope.
”I don’t know how many ballots haven’t been counted yet. We’re hoping things change. It’s very close,” said Superintendent Ronald Moag on Wednesday.
Voters in all other Jefferson County districts in Tuesday’s election voted to approve their levy increases by a fairly wide margin.
The Jefferson County Auditor’s Office counted 5,139 ballots Tuesday out of a total of 13,339 eligible voters, a preliminary voter turnout of 38.5 percent.
• Quilcene School District — If it passes, the four-year levy would net the district a total of $3.8 million through 2028 and help pay for such programs as athletics, arts education and the district preschool.
The EP&O levy would be $904,537 in 2025, increasing incrementally to more than $1 million in 2028.
While the annual levy amount would increase each year, the amount taxed would remain the same for all four years of the levy at $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The current levy is $1.14 per $1,000.
The levy augments school programs, a brochure from the district said. A statement in opposition submitted to the county said the district’s plan lacked measurable student improvement metrics.
• Brinnon School District — Voters approved the levy with 296 votes, or 68.5 percent, in favor to 130 votes, or 30.5 percent, opposed.
“We have a lot of academic success at the Brinnon School District,” said Superintendent Patricia Beathard. “Our voters appreciate our work in the area.”
Brinnon’s levy rate will remain the same for 2024 and then increase in 2025 to keep up with inflation.
“It’s really not an increase; it just levels our funding,” Beathard said. “It keeps our funding level so we can afford to do the things we like to do for our kids.”
The district works to pursue grants, Beathard said, and it doesn’t request funding from voters for projects district personnel believe can be grant-funded. The district is receiving two grants totaling $3.5 million, Beathard said, which will pay for new roofing, asbestos abatement and electrical upgrades, including a generator for when the power goes out.
“I think (voters) recognize and appreciate that we’re seeking funding in that area,” Beathard said. “They’ve shown us year after year they’re supportive.”
• Chimacum School District — Voters approved a capital projects levy increase with 2,519 votes, or 62.7 percent, in favor to 1,500 votes, or 37.3 percent, opposed.
“We’re really pleased and humbled our voters are supporting us,” said Chimacum Superintendent Scott Mauk. “We did raise to meet capital demands and inflation. We’re thankful they trust us with their tax dollars.”
Mauk said the levy increase, which will provide the district with more than $2.3 million annually between 2025 and 2028 — a total of $9.3 million — will pay for upgrades to the district’s HVAC systems, fire suppression, roofs, paint and carpet needs.
The levy was last raised in 2012, Mauk said, and the district hasn’t raised the amount it collects for capital projects for some time.
Mauk said district personnel are waiting to hear from the state about grant funding for the fire suppression upgrades. If that money does come through, it will allow the district to use the funds budgeted for that project on other needs.
• Queets-Clearwater District — A total of 17 voters cast ballots and ultimately approved the education programs and operations levy increase with 12 votes, or 70.6 percent, in favor and five votes, or 29.4 percent, opposed.
Representatives from the district did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.
