It appears both Kent School District measures will pass as the technology and capital levy leads by 10 votes after the latest results released Tuesday by King County Elections.
Proposition No. 2, the tech and capital levy, has 50.02 percent yes votes (11,792) and 49.98 percent no votes (11,782). Proposition No. 1, the replacement and operations levy, continues to pass with 50.53 percent yes votes (12,777) and 49.47 percent no votes (12,510).
The tech measure led by only two votes after last Friday’s count. Both levies were failing after initial results were released Feb. 13 on election night.
Despite the tight count, there are no recounts for local measures, according to the state Secretary of State website. A recount could be requested – the cost would just have to be covered by whomever requested it.
King County Elections will update counts Wednesday and Thursday until the election is certified Friday, Feb. 23.
Proposition No. 1 is for two years (2019, 2020) and would raise a total of $94 million to help fund nearly 20 percent of the district’s overall budget for its more than 27,000 students. It would fund about one in every five of the more than 3,500 employees in the district.
The measure would replace the four-year levy voters approved in 2014. Funds will go toward day-to-day operations, including safety and security at schools, special education, transportation, music, art and athletic programs.
Proposition No. 2 is for six years. Funds will pay for technology improvements and district facility maintenance not covered by the 2016 bond measure approved by voters. The levy will bring in an estimated $146 million over the six years. The measure will help make sure each student by 2019 has a laptop or laptop-like device and fund 371 facility maintenance projects from new water pipes to new carpet.
After the Feb. 13 initial count, Proposition No. 1 had 51.14 percent no votes (10,086) and 48.86 percent yes votes (9,637). Proposition No. 2 had 51.61 percent no votes (9,445) and 48.39 percent yes votes (8,855).
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