Updated: Feb. 12, 6:45 p.m.
As the early vote count has been updated by the Snohomish County Auditor’s office, Edmonds School District Propositions 1 and 2 are currently at passing levels.
Proposition 1, a vote to continue taxpayer funding for the current levy, is passing with 64.36 percent of the vote. Passing requirement for Proposition 1 is only a 50 percent simple majority. If passed, the proposition will not raise taxes, but rather keep them at current levels.
Proposition 2, a capital bond measure, is currently passing with 62.52 percent of the vote, just barely scraping past the 60 percent passing requirement. If passed, the proposition would raise taxes, slightly higher than current levels. The measure would provide funding for numerous capital projects for the district, including the relocation of MTHS feeder middle school, Alderwood Middle School.
In an email sent to all ESD staff late Tuesday night, Superintendent Nick Brossit said, “I am very happy to report that the first round of election results as ballots were counted and reported by Snohomish County Elections shortly after 8 p.m. tonight have both of our measures passing!”
Brossit called the current passing status a, “significant vote by our community…”
Brossit also said that the passage of these measure will allow the district to, “Continue programs and services vital to our operations for the next four years, and to address a number of major capital projects challenges and facility needs we have across the district.”
The failure of Proposition 1 would have resulted in deep cuts throughout the district.
When interviewed in Dec. 2013, MTHS Principal Greg Schwab said these cuts would severely affect staffing and extra-curricular programs, among other things.
Brossit praised the community for its passing of the vote even in the current tough economic conditions.
“The economy is not fully recovered; still, our community stepped up in a big way to replace the levy and extend themselves for the bond work,” Brossit said.
Stay with the Hawkeye for update election results as they are made available. Results can be found by clicking here.
Editor’s Note: The Hawkeye Editorial Board has endorsed both Propositions 1 and 2
