Upcoming election in April offers hope for one school district. A special election on February 9th, 2021 asked voters to replace the expiring three-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. This levy, if approved, would not change or increase current tax rates. Schools use their EP&O Levy funds for many different learning programs and activities outside of state-funded basic education, including but not limited to programs in their community like:
- Career and Technical Education
- STEM Classes
- Smaller Class Sizes
- Transportation
- Elementary Specialists
- College in the High School
- Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
- Performing Arts
- Athletics
- Student Clubs
- Electives
- Work Based Learning Technology
So how did the EP&O Levy fare in the polls in your school district?
Deer Park School District had 3,546 votes counted from Spokane, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties, with the result being the levy was renewed.
| Vote | Vote% | |
| Levy Yes | 1,878 | 52.96% |
| Levy No | 1,668 | 47.04% |
Mead School District had 19,047 votes counted, with results being a levy renewal.
| Vote | Vote% | |
| Levy Yes | 9,987 | 52.43% |
| Levy No | 9,060 | 47.57% |
Riverside School District had 3,986 votes counted from Spokane and Pend Oreille counties, with the result being the levy was renewed.
| Vote | Vote% | |
| Levy Yes | 2,259 | 56.67% |
| Levy No | 1,727 | 43.33% |
Mary Walker School District had 751 votes counted with the result being a denial of renewing the levy. Mary Walker will be re-running the levy for vote in April.
| Vote | Vote% | |
| Levy Yes | 361 | 48.07% |
| Levy No | 390 | 51.93% |
For more information about how to register to vote go to:
Photo by Element5 Digital
