Election results: Here’s where Puyallup, other East Pierce school funding measures stand
Update as of Feb. 15: Eatonville School District’s levies are passing with 58.18 percent and 57.25 percent. Puyallup School District’s levy is passing with 51.29 percent. Orting School District’s bond is failing with 55.77 percent (bonds need 60 percent to pass). Carbonado School District’s levy is passing with 69.6 percent. Sumner-Bonney Lake School District’s levies are passing with 61.86 percent and 64.31 percent.
The Pierce County Auditor’s Office estimates it has 300 special election ballots left to count. Visit results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240213/pierce/ for more information about the results. The next ballot count is Feb. 23.
Initial post: Early special election results are in for the Eatonville, Puyallup, Orting, Carbonado and Sumner-Bonney Lake school districts’ ballot measures.
The last round of special election results is expected Feb. 23, according to the Pierce County Auditor’s Office.
Eatonville School District levies
According to the Pierce County Auditor’s Office, 1,437 votes (about 57.8 percent) so far are for the four-year replacement educational programs and operations levy while 1,051 (about 42.2 percent) are against it.
For the six-year capital projects levy, 1,421 votes (about 57 percent) so far are for it while 1,073 (about 43 percent) are against it.
Superintendent Jay Brower wrote in an email Wednesday: “The results for propositions 1 and 2 look favorable and we are cautiously optimistic. We are grateful to our voters for their support of both measures that will allow us to continue to provide valuable educational programs and opportunities for all Eatonville Students during the day as well as before and after the bell rings.“
The $27 million replacement educational programs and operations levy and the $9.3 million capital projects levy would cost the owner of a $500,000 home about $1,250 per year or $36.25 per month, The News Tribune previously reported.
The educational programs and operations levy funds music and arts programs, athletics and extracurricular activities, and food services.
The capital projects levy would replace the high school’s track and field, as well as repair aging heating and cooling systems.
Puyallup School District levy
9,597 votes (about 50.2 percent) so far are against the six-year capital levy while 9,532 (about 49.8 percent) are for it.
The $175 million capital levy would cost the owner of a $500,000 home about $435 per year or $36.25 per month, The News Tribune reported.
The capital levy would replace roofing and flooring, upgrade internet access and improve pedestrian safety across the school district.
Orting School District bond
1,812 votes (about 53.5 percent) so far are for the 20-year general obligation bonds proposal while 1,576 (about 46.5 percent) are against it.
The bond needs a 60-percent supermajority to pass.
”Unfortunately Orting’s school bond is not passing at the moment and is not likely to do so,” Superintendent Ed Hatzenbeler wrote in an email Wednesday.
Hatzenbeler said seven out of 21 school bonds across the state are passing so far. Last year, two out of 23 passed.
“So far, it is a bit better across the state at a 33 percent passage rate, but a far cry from what is needed to keep kids safe, secure and in optimized learning environments,” Hatzenbeler wrote.
The $117 million general obligation bonds proposal would cost the owner of a $520,000 home about $888 per year or $74 per month, The News Tribune reported.
The bond would pay for a new elementary school, expand Orting High and upgrade security at Orting Middle and Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary, The News Tribune reported.
A member of the “yes” campaign said the levy includes safety and security upgrades such as automatic lockdown systems, The News Tribune reported.
The voters’ pamphlet does not have a statement against the school district’s levy.
Carbonado School District levy
132 votes (about 69.5 percent) so far are for the four-year replacement educational programs and operations levy while 58 (about 30.5 percent) are against it.
The $2.3 million replacement educational programs and operations levy would cost the owner of a $500,000 home about $1,250 per year or $104 per month, The News Tribune reported.
The educational programs and operations levy funds programs, some teacher salaries, athletics and arts.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District levies
4,515 votes (about 59.7 percent) so far are for the four-year replacement educational programs and operations levy while 3,049 (about 40.3 percent) are against it.
For the six-year replacement instructional technology improvements and security upgrades levy, 4,716 votes (about 62.4 percent) so far are for it while 2,848 (about 37.7 percent) are against it.
School district spokesperson Elle Warmuth wrote in an email Wednesday: “We are absolutely thrilled with the election results! We very much thank the voters who support funding the needs of every student through replacement levies.”
The $175 million replacement educational programs and operations levy would cost an average homeowner $136 per year or $11.31 per month, The News Tribune reported.
The $39 million replacement instructional technology improvements and security upgrades levy would cost an average homeowner $15.08 per year or $1.26 per month.
The educational programs and operations levy funds a portion of teacher salaries, textbooks and special needs programs. The instructional technology improvements and security upgrades levy would pay for new classroom computers, upgrade internet access and maintain security cameras.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated how many votes a school levy needs to pass. Levies need a simple majority. Bonds need 60 percent.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comments from school district officials.
This story was originally published February 13, 2024 at 8:32 PM.
