Spokane, West Valley voters approve school levies

Spokane Public Schools won approval for a three-year, $333 million replacement levy, with more than 59% voting yes Tuesday night. The measure pays for programs and operations outside the state’s basic-education definition and supplies roughly 15% of district operating funds. Advanced classes, nursing services and athletics are among the expenses these levies can cover. District property owners are expected to pay $2.50 for each $1,000 of assessed value.

West Valley voters approved both measures on their ballot. The operations levy drew 55.8% support and will bring in $32.2 million across three years. A two-year capital levy worth $8.5 million received 57.9%. Some capital money is planned for a library media room at Pasadena Park Elementary School, where projected growth is the district’s highest. Together with existing bonds, the estimated annual property-tax rate is $3.50 per $1,000 of value.

Central Valley’s three-year, $152 million replacement levy remained unsettled, with 50.8% voting in favor. Its board had set a $2.50-per-$1,000 ceiling for the levy rate in September. Other close contests included Nine Mile Falls’ operations measure at 50.4% support and Riverside’s $12.4 million levy at 49.4%. Nine Mile Falls voters did approve a six-year, $4.9 million capital levy. East Valley’s two-year, $13.8 million capital measure was leading with 53.2%, while ballots were scheduled to remain under count for several days.