1 Tri-Cities school levy failing by less than 300 votes. First results are in
Tri-Cities school levies were passing in two of the three cities after the first results were released on election night Tuesday.
Pasco School District’s operations levy renewal was failing by about 270 votes. It provides crucial funding for teachers, technology, curriculum, athletics, the arts and school transportation.
But Pasco isn’t throwing in the towel yet. District staff say it is “too early to determine the outcome” with outstanding ballots left to tally.
“Current results show the measure is approximately 1.57 percentage points short of the threshold,” a statement from the district read. “Pasco School District will continue to monitor the results and will share updates as more information becomes available.”
Kennewick’s and Richland’s measures were passing.
Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school district were asking voters to renew the property tax measures to be collected between 2027 and 2030. None of the five on the Feb. 10 ballots were new taxes.
These local dollars supplement per-pupil education funds districts receive from Washington state, and help bridge the gap between what the state and federal government pay and what is actually needed, say officials. The state also provides matching funds for districts that have active levies.
In the coming days, Tri-City election officials will be counting late-arriving ballots, and expect to update results Wednesday afternoon. Benton County expects to update theirs at 4 p.m., followed by Franklin County at 6 p.m.
Nearly 35,000 ballots total had been tallied in the two counties. Voter turnout was 21% in Benton County and 20% in Franklin.
Kennewick asks voters for $170M
Kennewick School District was asking for a four-year $128 million education programs and operations levy, and a four-year $42 million safety, security and technology levy.
Its operations levy pays for programs for student learning and staff, operations and maintenance, security and officer programs, nurses, transportation operations, instructional supports, sports and extracurricular activities.
That measure was passing with 6,200 in support, or 54%, and 5,200 against, or 46%.
It would collect about $1.71 on every $1,000 of assessed property value starting in 2027, then rise to $1.74 by 2030. On a home valued at $400,000, the cost would be about $684 next year.
Its safety, security and technology levy will be used to pay for campus safety and security improvements, install instructional technology, replace and upgrade computers and software and provide training.
The measure as passing 6,300 in support, or 55%, to 5,100 against, or 45%.
It will collect about 50 cents on every $1,000 of assessed value, and rise to a rate of about 61 cents. On a home valued at $400,000, the cost next year would be about $200.
Kennewick serves about 18,700 students in 32 elementary, middle school, high school, preschool and choice schools.
Pasco asks voters for $153M
Pasco School District was asking voters for a four-year $153 million education programs and operations levy.
Its operations levy would pay for educational opportunities, technology, curriculum, athletics, extracurricular activities, music and the arts, counselors, nurses, transportation and student safety. The funding makes up about 10% of Pasco’s operating budgeting.
That measure was failing with 4,200 in support, or 48%, to 4,500 against, or 52%.
The tax would collect about $2.17 on every $1,000 of assessed value. On a home valued at $400,000, the cost next year would be about $868.
The district serves about 18,300 students in more than 30 schools.
Richland needs $240M+
Richland School District was asking voters for a four-year $203 million education programs and operations levy, and a four-year $40 million technology improvement levy.
Local levy funds make up about 14% of the district’s annual budget.
The operations levy would pay for smaller class sizes, teaching and support staff, safety resources, instructional materials, extracurricular activities and athletics and building maintenance and operations.
It was passing 6,959 in support, or 53%, to 6,130 ballots against, or 47%.
Richland would collect $2.50 on every $1,000 of assessed property value, the highest amount allowable by law. For a home valued at $400,000, that’s about $1,000.
Richland’s technology improvement levy would pay for online curricula and instructional tools, Chromebook replacements, classroom technology, online attendance and student progress monitoring, security systems and internet access.
It was passing with 7,033 in support, or 54%, and 6,088 ballots against, or 46%.
It would collect about 50 cents on every $1,000. That’s $200 annually on a $400,000 home.
Richland serves about 13,800 students in 21 schools.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 8:47 PM.
