Voters Approve Most School Levies Republic Levy Too Close To Call While Springdale’s Falls Short

Except for school districts in Springdale and Republic, all special levies in rural northeastern Washington counties passed Tuesday.

The Republic School District levy is too close to call, but it appears unlikely that still-uncounted absentee ballots can reverse the tentative defeat.

So far, the measure has only 57 percent support, 282-213. To pass, 60 percent approval is required. The Ferry County auditor’s office will count about 100 absentee and vote-by-mail ballots Monday.

The school district was seeking $165,000 for 1996 and $173,000 for 1997.

Absentee ballots can’t reverse the results of any other elections in Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille or Lincoln counties.

In Stevens County, voters in the Mary Walker School District in Springdale failed to provide the necessary 60 percent support for a two-year, $100,000-per-year operating levy. The measure received 52.2 percent support, 157-144.

Also in Stevens County, Northport School District voters overwhelmingly approved a $55,000 special levy to repair leaking roofs and make the district’s buildings more energy-efficient. The one-year levy passed with 81.8 percent support, 198-44.

Both the Northport and Mary Walker levies failed in last November’s general election.

In Pend Oreille County, Newport School District voters approved a one-year, $340,226 operating levy. The Newport levy had 71.1 percent support, 753-306.

Voters in Lincoln County approved:

A one-year, $374,000 operating levy for the Odessa School District. The measure had 78.2 percent support, 320-89.

A two-year, $146,000-per-year operating levy for the Almira School District. Support was 79.6 percent, 109-28.

A one-year, $365,000 operating levy for Hospital District No. 1, which has a hospital in Odessa. Support was 83.6 percent, 296-58.

A six-year $3,690-per-year operating levy for the Almira Park and Recreation District. Support was 82.9 percent, 102-21.