School levy close but passing

A tax levy to support local schools was passing by about a 5% margin Tuesday night.

Proposition 1, the Grand Coulee Dam School District's proposal to replace its expiring levy with a new one at the end of this year, seeks to tax property owners $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

In the four counties the district serves, the proposal was passing by 422-383 votes Tuesday, that is, by about 52.42%. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

If it were up to Lincoln County voters, it would fail. They voted 73-53 against the levy, about 58-42% against it.

In Okanogan County voters approved it 135-85. Grant County is closer: 195-188, a 1.8% margin. Two more Douglas County voters approved than disapproved 39-37.

Mail-in ballots are still arriving at county elections offices, and ballot drop boxes were picked up Tuesday night. The election will be certified Feb. 21.

If the levy were to fail, the school board could ask voters again in November.