Programs, facilities upgrades funded in Crescent School District

JOYCE — Passage of two Crescent School District levies in Tuesday’s special election means that programs that lack state funding can continue and that work can continue to be done on aging facilities, said David Bingham, Crescent School District superintendent and principal.

“We’re really grateful to the community to be willing to provide that overwhelming support,” Bingham said Wednesday.

Voters have approved a replacement educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy of $520,000 for four years and a four-year capital projects levy that will provide some $500,000 for work on school facilities.

The EP&O levy received 522 yes votes, or 64.76 percent, and 284 no votes, or 35.24 percent, while the capital projects levy won 536 yes votes, or 66.50 percent to 270 no votes, or 33.50 percent after Tuesday’s initial vote of ballots and a second count on Wednesday. Both levies required a simple majority — 50 percent plus one vote — for passage.

The Clallam County Auditor’s Office will count more ballots by 4:30 p.m. today.

The EP&O levy rate will be $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The property tax rate for the capital levy will be $0.348 per $1,000 assessed valuation.

The EP&O levy will allow the district to maintain such programs as music, band, nurses and counselors.

The capital levy is part of a 10-year facilities plan to “extend the useful life of some of our aging buildings,” Bingham said, adding that some buildings are approaching 50 years old.

“The bones are still good, but they need some freshening up,” he said.

Both were essential replacement levies, Bingham said, explaining that the capital levy built upon one that voters approved in 2016.

In three phases over the next couple of years, the district plans to upgrade the cafeteria/kitchen and band room — “hopefully before school resumes in the fall — improve the locker room and gym and provide a backup generator for the kitchen/cafeteria and septic system pump.

The total cost for all upgrades is estimated at $1.5 million.

“The capital levy is giving us the final dollars we need to do these projects,” Bingham said.

________

Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.