Simple Majority: What Does it Mean?
- What does the November 2007 ballot issue, EHJR 4204, provide for future levy elections? EHJR 4204 amends the Washington State Constitution and provides that a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) can now authorize local school district levies. The amendment also removes the 40% election validation previously required for levy elections. A simple majority vote does NOT apply to school bond elections.
- What do school levies pay for? Local levies support school needs. In our district, the maintenance and operations levy helps to support education programs and school operations such as teaching, school supplies, athletics and activities, maintenance, transportation and student safety. Our local maintenance and operations levy pays for 18 percent of the district’s operating budget.
- What happens if school levies don’t pass? Levy failures can result in budget cuts, which require program cuts, staff and/or teacher layoffs, and other disruptions. Elections cost money. If school districts need to run a subsequent election for the same levy, it will take money away from educational programs. It cost our district $42,000 to run the February 6, 2007 maintennce and operations levy election.
Levy questions, comments and suggestions may be sent via email to: levy@portangelesschools.org, or by U.S. Mail to: Superintendent, Port Angeles School District, 216 East Fourth Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.