Voters approve school levies across Whatcom County

The Bellingham Herald

Updated February 10, 2016 12:26 PM

Ballots wait to be counted at the Whatcom County Auditors office on Election Day, Nov., 2, 2010. In the Feb. 9, 2016, special election, all school district levies on the Whatcom County ballot were passing, according to early results. PHILIP A. DWYER pdwyer@bhamherald.com

Here are the preliminary ballot counts of the Tuesday, Feb. 9, special election as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. These levies need only a simple majority to pass. Based on early results, they all should pass.

All seven school districts in Whatcom County asked voters to approve levies that make up at least 20 percent of their budgets and that school leaders say are crucial to their ability to provide education and other school activities.

The maintenance and operations levies on the ballot, paid by property taxes, aren’t new. If approved Feb. 9 by voters, they would replace levies that expire in 2016.

The money pays for things such as teaching, transportation, school supplies and athletics, music and theater, among other needs.

Bellingham School District also asked voters to OK a technology levy. This, too, would be an extension of one already put into place by voters, but the school district asked for nearly twice as much in the first two years of this levy.

Fire District 8 in the Marietta area also asked voters for a maintenance and operations levy to maintain the current level of fire and emergency medical services.

For updated ballot counts, check the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office website.

✓ Leading after initial ballot count Tuesday