Even if it snows this weekend, please vote on school bonds and levies!
A lot of Washingtonians are excited by the potential for snow this weekend, but here’s something more important for thousands of students: There are 70 school levies and bonds on Tuesday’s ballot.
“Due to the possibility of inclement weather this weekend and around Election Day, voters in counties with a special election are encouraged to turn their ballots in as soon as possible. To find a drop box near you please visit myvote.wa.gov,” Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman wrote on Twitter.
Cast your ballot! Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by 8 pm Feb. 12.
The regular levies total $1.2 billion. Capital (construction) levies total $1.5 billion. Construction bonds total nearly $1.6. In all, voters have an opportunity to approve nearly $4.4 billion in crucial education funding on Tuesday. Students across the state will benefit, from Ephrata in Eastern Washington to Brewster in North Central Washington to Vancouver in Southwest Washington.
Even with the increase in state funding for K-12 schools because of the McCleary court case, local levies are a crucial source of funding for most districts. Levies help fund additional teachers, student programs and staff such as nurses and librarians, and they help pay teachers for additional work outside the regular school day.
Here’s how Vancouver Education Association leaders explained the need for levies on Facebook: “We still need to renew our Education and Operations Levy to allow us to fund some essential services and programs beyond the bare minimum, while also funding additional support and enrichment programs that serve the whole child.”
Bonds and capital levies fund new schools and help modernize existing facilities.
Levies pass with a simple majority vote – 50 percent plus 1 (WEA helped pass the simple majority in 2007). Bonds have a much higher threshold. They need a 60 percent super majority.
There are bills in Olympia to enact a simple majority for bonds, too, but they require a bipartisan two-thirds approval in the state House and Senate. And then the issue would go to voters statewide.
It’s unclear how likely that is this year. According to The News Tribune, “No GOP legislators have co-sponsored bills lowering the 60 percent threshold or the resolutions that would place them on the ballot.”
Whether you are voting on a bond that requires 60 percent or a levy that requires 50 percent – every vote matters.
Please vote!
