Whatcom County school districts’ levy election ballot results from Wednesday evening
Ferndale voters have turned down a request to renew a levy that would have provided about 13% of the budget for the Ferndale School District.
All seven school districts in Whatcom County asked their voters to approve four-year levies officials said were critical to their efforts to educate children and pay for technology.
Ferndale’s was the only one to fail, with a 57% no vote for its operations levy, according to preliminary election results released on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12.
The levy measures needed a simple majority to pass.
“We are disappointed for staff, students, volunteers and (the) community, as this loss will mean significant changes in the educational experience we are able to offer students in Ferndale. Starting today, we are considering all of our options,” Ferndale School District Superintendent Linda Quinn said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Ferndale levy, which would have replaced one ending this year, would have brought in about $15.3 million a year through 2024.
Instead, the school district is looking at estimated cuts of $7 million for the 2020-2021 school year and $13 million for the following school year, according to the district’s statement.
The Ferndale School District could bring the levy back before voters in April, August or November this year.
But it still must plan for program and staff cuts, even if the district does ask voters to re-consider.
The Ferndale School Board also was disappointed by the no vote.
“This loss is particularly disheartening as we are the only district in Whatcom County to fail its levy. As someone who believes in this district and its schools, that is really tough,” Ferndale School District Board President Andrew McLaurin said in a statement.
Quinn has called a staff meeting to discuss the next steps and answer questions. The school district will soon release additional information, officials said.
In Bellingham, Superintendent Greg Baker expressed gratitude for the results of the Feb. 11 special election.
“We are extremely grateful to our Bellingham voters,” Baker said on the school district’s website. “Thank you to the hundreds of parents, community and staff volunteers who worked hard in support of these replacement levies. The school board and I extend our thanks to each of you.”
Most of the levy requests from Whatcom County school districts asked voters to renew operations or technology levies that expire in 2020.
Operations levies pay for things such as teaching, transportation, school supplies and athletics, music and theater, among other needs.
Lynden and Meridian school districts also asked their voters to approve new technology levies.
The next ballot count will be Thursday evening, according to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
Results reported at 5 p.m. Wednesday by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office:
District | For | Against |
Bellingham operations levy | 17,957 | 7,313 |
| Bellingham technology levy | 17,863 | 7,454 |
Blaine operations levy | 2,480 | 1,831 |
Ferndale operations levy | 3,491 | 4,568 |
Lynden operations levy | 2,679 | 2,382 |
Lynden technology levy | 2,741 | 2,341 |
Meridian operations levy | 1,623 | 1,072 |
Meridian technology levy | 1,648 | 1,071 |
Mount Baker operations levy | 1,991 | 1,453 |
Nooksack operations levy | 1,539 | 916 |
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 4:59 PM.
