Deer Park OKs school levy; Riverside, Reardan say ‘no’

Voters in two area school districts rejected ballot measures for the second time this year Tuesday, while voters in Deer Park approved a maintenance levy after rejecting a slightly larger tax earlier this year. The Reardan-Edwall School District asked for voter backing of an $18.4 million bond issue for major school improvements across the district. It needed a 60 percent yes vote to pass, but was failing by a 56-44 margin Tuesday night. Riverside voters had a three-year replacement levy on the ballot that would have raised about $2.8 million. It was failing by a 52-48 margin. Riverside voters had rejected a similar levy February. The district reduced the cost of the levy, per $1,000 assessed property value, by about half a dollar in hopes of gaining more votes. The Deer Park levy was passing 61-39. That levy, too, was smaller than the one voters rejected in February. Also on the ballot, Rockford town voters were considering a $12,500 levy for fire services. That measure was passing 68-32.