February levies for three local school districts

Residents from the La Conner, Concrete and Mount Vernon school districts have a Feb. 9 special election to renew school levies. The districts need to continue local funding for educational programs and operations (EPO).

The La Conner School Board voted in November to ask voters to approve a four-year, $1.45 per $1,000 in assessed valuation, a decrease from the $1.50 per $1,000 collected under the two-year levy voters passed in 2019.

The funds will pay for school programs and services and non-capital expenses not fully funded by the state, including instructional materials, technology, buildings and maintenance, athletics and staff.

Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart said the committee opted for a four-year rather than two-year levy to reduce election-related costs and to maintain a flat school tax rate into 2025. The district is anticipating a contribution from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, also.

Concrete voters will decide on a three-year $2.50 per $1,000 in assessed property value replacement educational EPO) levy.

Two levies will be before Mount Vernon residents: a three-year replacement EPO levy and a three-year $15.5 million replacement technology and security levy.

If any of the levy proposals fail, districts can present them to voters again, probably in April.