OMAK SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2008

For More Information: Robert Risinger, 826-0320

FIRST LEVY VOTE COUNT SHOWS PASSAGE LIKELY

              An unofficial ballot count by the Okanogan County auditor’s office Tuesday evening, March 11, indicates both levy measures proposed by the Omak School District will pass.

              The replacement maintenance and operation (M&O) levy received 56.16 percent approval in the initial vote count, with 1,090 voters for and 851 against. The technology levy received 54.3 percent approval with 1,068 voters for and 899 against.

              “We certainly thank the community for this support,” said Superintendent Robert Risinger. “Passage of both measures puts the Omak School District in a position to continue its mission of providing quality education.

              “The technology levy is going to make a huge difference in providing staff and students the tools to move forward and meet the challenges of this fast-changing world.”

              With all voting done by mail, Tuesday’s count included only ballots received by the auditor’s office as of Friday, March 7. The deadline for mailing in ballots was March 11, and a second vote count is scheduled for Friday, March 14, said elections official Mila Jury. The election will be certified on March 26.

              Based on previous election patterns, the uncounted ballots are unlikely to change the overall results and may even increase the proportion of support for the levies, said Risinger. This was the first levy election since state law was changed to require a “simply majority” of 50 percent plus one instead of the previous “super majority,” or 60 percent requirement.

              “We’d hoped for 60 percent, and we should always set 60 percent as our goal,” said Risinger. But with passage assured, he said the district can move ahead to plan for the coming year instead of having to spend the next months trying a second time to get a levy passed.

               Levy failures inevitably lead to uncertainty about staffing, he noted, and a double levy failure would have resulted in staffing decreases.

              “Now we have the ability to plan and keep our good staff here,” Risinger said.

              The M&O levy will raise $1,488,093 per year for two years plus generate about $1,163,000 in state equalization money annually. The total, $2.6 million, represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget.

              The technology levy will raise $284,635 annually for two years to fund computer labs, other educational technology and training.