VOTER INTERESTS PROJECT: Seven Measures on February Ballot

Four school districts and a parks district have submitted measures for the February 8, 2022 ballot in Island County.

The Oak Harbor School District is asking voters to approve Capital Improvement and School Construction General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $184 million. According to the text of the measure:

This proposition would authorize the District to replace aging facilities by constructing new Crescent Harbor, Oak Harbor, and Olympic View Elementary Schools, a new Co-Op Transportation Center and a new HomeConnection/Hand-in-Hand Early Childhood Development Learning Center; by issuing $184,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 22 years; and levying annual excess property tax levies to pays such bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 21-08.

The Coupeville School District has three separate ballot measures:

Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy

This proposition is replaces an expiring levy passed in 2018. The levy will raise $2.5 million in 2023 and $2.7 million in the next three years. The proceeds will go to the district’s General Fund.

Technology Capital Projects Levy

This proposition will raise $1.9 million over four years to purchase and maintain various computer technology systems, projects, and facilities.

Capital Projects Levy

This proposition would raise $6.0 million over two years for “repair, improvement, modernization and/or expansion of district facilities”.

The South Whidbey School District has put forward a Replacement for Educational Programs and Operations Levy. Over three years, the levy is expected to bring in $10.5 million for the district’s General Fund. The explanatory statement for the measure says the funds will be

…used to pay for day-to-day school operations to meet student needs not funded by the State, such as music programs, athletics and extra-curricular programs, substitute pay, new curriculum, and funds to support services for special-needs students, pupil transportation and food service.

The Stanwood-Camano School District wants voters to pass a Replacement Capital Projects and Technology Levy to raise $10.3 million over four years. The Online Voters Guide says:

This proposition would authorize the District to modernize and repair District facilities; modernize and upgrade District technology and computer systems for instruction and operations; other capital project expenditures…

Finally, the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District is proposing a Four-Year Maintenance and Operations Levy. The rate authorized, $0.22 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, is an increase of two cents per thousand.

This tax is intended to replace the District’s current maintenance and operation property tax, which is scheduled to expire in 2022. …revenue from the tax would pay for the maintenance and operation of community parks, trails and facilities, and other District recreation programs and facilities.

Ballots will be mailed no later than January 21, 2022, and must be dropped in a drop-box or postmarked by February 8, 2022.