Grapeview voters face replacement levy

On the Feb. 13 ballot, voters in the Grapeview School District are being asked to replace an expiring educational programs levy that would tax property owners 63 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, the same as the levy that is expiring.

If passed, the levy would collect $946,724 in 2025, $990,095 in 2026, $1.024.570 in 2027 and $1.042,216 in 2028.

The Grapeview levy is one of five education funding measures on the Feb. 13 ballot. Voters in the Mary M. Knight School District are also casting ballots for a replacement levy, and the Hood Canal School District is for the second time proposing a $33.5-million building bond that fell short of the required 60 percent supermajority in November. Some Mason County voters will also cast ballots for replacement levies in the McCleary and Elma school districts.

Grapeview Superintendent Gerry Grubbs said district residents currently pay the second lowest in the region. If the Hood Canal School District's building bond passes, it will be the lowest, he said.

The local levy tax pays for 20% of the district's budget. The rest comes from the state (66%), the federal government (13%) and local money that is not tax (1%).

The levy dollars help pay for curriculum materials, library and art programs, intervention services, the health and fitness program, technology, sports, field trips and afterschool programs and to maintain class sizes. It also helps pay to maintain facilities, safety and security, food and transportation services, and payments to the North Mason and Shelton school districts to educate their students beyond the eighth grade.

The district has 241 students through grade eight.

"This is a great school because it's our school and the community supports us ... it's a pleasant, warm environment," Grubbs said.

The school principal Hannah Nelsen, is in her first year at the post after 14 years working in student services for the district. The district historically has been home to many retirees, but more families are moving into it, she said.

On the Feb. 13 ballot, voters in the Mary M. Knight School District are being asked to replace an expiring educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy that was approved by voters in 2022.

Passage of the levy by a simple majority for 2024-26 could raise more than $2.5 million. The replacement levy would collect $730,500 in 2025 and $818,200 in 2026.

The district would also be eligible for more than $1 million in state-funded levy equalization money.

The current levy rate for 2022 through 2024 is $2.33 per $1,000 of assessed home value. If the replacement levy passes, the proposed rate drops to $2.08 per $1,000.

A district flyer to residents points out that property taxes are the primary funding source for public schools in the state. Most of the money comes from statewide taxes, which provide for the basic education money that each district receives. This state money supports 86% of the district costs. In its flyer, the district states that it starts by leveraging state, federal and grant money before seeking money locally.

The Hood Canal School District's proposed $33.5-million building bond fell 45 votes short of passing in the November general election and district residents are voting on the proposal again on the Feb. 13 ballot.

The Nov. 7 ballot received 58.1%, short of the 60% super majority required.

One thing is different: the new proposed collection would be $1.05 per $1,000 of assessed property value, compared to $1.16 in the November request. That's because when assessed property value goes up, the rate goes down.

The building bond that would create space for preschool classrooms, an ADA-accessible playground, arts, music and science, and replace a 70-year-old transportation facility.

The bond would pay for two preschool classrooms, an ADA-accessible preschool playground, spaces for visual and performing arts, a larger library with space for projects, a science lab, an engineering/technology project lab, and an ADA-accessible playground with expended covered area for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.