Local school districts’ plans for building renovations may be on hold for a while, after special schools election results Tuesday night showed all bond proposals falling short of approval.
As of 8:45 p.m., the bonds in Lynden and Meridian had less than 50 percent approval ratings. The bonds in Blaine and Ferndale had 53 percent and 54 percent approval respectively, but under state law school bonds need to pass with at least 60 percent approval.
But all the maintenance and operations levies and technology levies were passing, except for the levy out of the Mount Baker School District. The levy there was failing by 49 votes with 51 percent voting against it. Levies must exceed 50 percent voter approval to pass.
As of Tuesday, 38,456 ballots had been returned, out of 104,490 sent to Whatcom County voters, a turnout rate of about 37 percent. Only 31,066 ballots were counted for Tuesday’s results.
The next results update will be about 5 p.m. today.
MERIDIAN
Meridian School District Superintendent Tim Yeomans said even though the district’s $23 million bond to renovate Meridian High School probably won’t pass, he’s pleased the voters showed support for the levy.
“In regard to the bond, we’re disappointed but not dissuaded,” he said after seeing results posted at the Whatcom County Courthouse. “We understand it’s tough times for folks and understand things are tight. … Our very best effort was what we put forth.”
Meridian’s four-year maintenance and operations levy, which is used to fund day-to-day operations of the district, will bring in about $2.5 million each year and will cost homeowners in 2009 about $2.54 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
MOUNT BAKER
The Mount Baker School District’s maintenance and operations levy, which makes up about 20 percent of the district’s budget, may still pass if there are enough uncounted ballots waiting. The four-year levy request would replace the current levy that will expire at the end of the year.
This is the second time the district could see a levy fail in the last eight years. A two-year maintenance and operations levy went to voters twice in 2000 before passing.
Before the election, Superintendent Richard Gantman said if the levy request failed, the district would take the measure to voters again this spring.
BLAINE
The Blaine School District’s maintenance and operations levy was passing with about 61 percent voter approval. The $40 million bond proposal, which included $30 million to renovate Blaine High School, was about 7 percent shy of meeting the 60 percent approval needed.
If the bond isn’t approved, the combined tax rate for all school district taxes, including the $19 million bond passed in 2001, would be about $2.06 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
FERNDALE
Ferndale School District’s six-year technology levy was passing with just over 51 percent approval, but the $21 million bond proposal was about 6 percent shy of approval. The bond was going to be used to update several areas of the district, including Custer and North Bellingham elementary schools.
If the bond fails, homeowners will pay about $4.17 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
LYNDEN
The Lynden School District’s maintenance and operations levy was passing Tuesday night with about 51 percent voter approval, but the $4 million bond was failing with 51 percent of voters against the proposal. The bond would have paid off a temporary loan used to purchase land last year for future middle and elementary schools.
If the bond doesn’t pass, the projected tax rate for 2009 would be $2.55 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
NOOKSACK VALLEY
The Nooksack Valley School District’s only ballot item, a four-year maintenance and operations levy renewal, was passing Tuesday night with about 58 percent voter approval.
The estimated combined tax rate for all school district taxes, including the $9.8 million bond passed in 1997, will be about $5 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
BELLINGHAM
Both Bellingham School District’s maintenance and operations levy and technology levy were passing with more than 65 percent approval. The estimated combined tax rate for all school district taxes, including the $67 million bond passed in 2006, will be about $3.27 per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value.
Both levies will replace ones that are expiring at the end of this year.