Levies for Cusick, Republic schools appear to fail

Preliminary results of three Eastern Washington school levy votes were announced Tuesday. The operating levies each needed more than 60 percent approval to pass.

• Voters appear to have narrowly turned down the Cusick School District’s second attempt this year at passing an operating levy.

The measure, which would maintain the district’s current funding levels by raising $325,000 a year for two years, was failing when ballots were counted Tuesday. The proposal had 58.84 percent support, with 346 yes votes and 242 no votes. The vote was conducted by mail. Ballots will be counted if postmarked by Tuesday.

Board member Kelly Driver said if results don’t change, officials will meet soon to start considering cuts. “We’re just really disappointed,” Driver said. “We’re going to be in that unfortunate position of cutting several hundred thousand dollars from our budget.”

In March, the measure lost by two votes.

• Voters also appear to have rejected the Republic School District’s operating levy. That measure, which would raise $299,300 a year for three years, had received 59.64 percent support when ballots were opened Tuesday, with 696 yes votes to 471. The vote was the district’s second attempt at passing the request. Superintendent John Glenewinkel said the results mean the board will have to make budget cuts including some extracurricular activities.

• The Curlew School District in Ferry County appears to have passed its levy. When ballots were counted Tuesday, the measure had 60.98 percent support, with 275 yes votes and 176 no votes. The proposal would raise about $100,000 a year for four years, said school board Chairman Brad Miller.