Ki-Be school levy failing. At least 50% needed to pass

A replacement levy for the Kiona-Benton School District was failing Tuesday night.

Only 46 percent of voters were supporting the levy in the initial vote count. A school levy needs more than 50 percent to pass.

The Ki-Be School District was seeking a 2-year replacement levy to keep operations going. The levy would have raised about $1.6 million for each of the 2021 and 2022 tax years.

The proposed levy rate is $1.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value or $430 in property taxes per year for the owner of a $250,000 home. That is about $36 per month.

The current approved levy is $1.5 million with a rate of $1.72 per $1,000 of value.

The school board is allowed by the state to hold a supplemental levy special election to put the measure again to voters.

The levy paying costs not covered by state funds such as sports, technology and operations, as well as school safety measures and training.

In January, voters failed to pass the district’s proposed levy at a rate of $2.50 per $1,000 — the maximum allowed by Washington state. Only 44 percent of the voters were in favor of that levy.

This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 8:48 PM.