Most levies pass, final count shows

Rochester's operations levy fails by 40 votes

ALMA D. SHARPE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, February 16, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Thurston County voters were more generous with their local schools in the February election than they've been in the past.

All districts except Rochester were able to pass their maintenance and operations levies on the first try. The Rochester School District came in short of the required 60 percent approval rate by 40 votes.

Voters rejected two out of 11 requests on the February ballot, Rochester's levy and a $39.6 million bond for Yelm Community Schools.

Many school officials had feared worse because of the slow economy.

Thin margins

Harry Carthum, superintendent of the Griffin School District, said he suspects that the seven votes that made possible the passage of his district's construction bond reflect how watchful local voters are of their pocketbooks nowadays.

"Clearly we have the majority of the people saying to proceed with the bond. But the other message we're getting is give the people real value for their tax dollars," Carthum said.

Yelm weighs options

Yelm school officials, who received the first February approval of their levy in five years, were celebrating their win with the levy, while considering how to proceed with the failure of their $39.6 million bond.

District officials want to see what happens with the legislative proposal to lower the requirement for passage of school measures to a simple majority, Assistant Superintendent Jim McGinty said.

"It's a big improvement for us to get (the levy) passed the first time around and we're delighted," McGinty said. "As far as the bond, we're waiting to see what the Legislature is going to do."

Alma D. Sharpe covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-4226 or at asharpe@ olympia.gannett.com.

On the Web:

Thurston County Auditor: Election results

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