COUPEVILLE: Man challenges language in ballot title
Jessie Stensland reports from Coupeville for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity AI
Former Coupeville School Board candidate David Mahaffy has appealed the ballot title for two upcoming school replacement levies, arguing that calling the levies “necessary” is biased and prejudicial. He filed a petition in Island County Superior Court, an action county staff say is rarely used. Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood said the district does not oppose changing that single word, emphasizing that the levies continue essential programs and operations not fully funded by the state, including staffing, advanced classes, student supports, technology, and security. She noted the titles were drafted by legal counsel and approved by the prosecutor’s office. Mahaffy learned of the wording while drafting the voters’ pamphlet opposition statement.
They Said It
The ballot title in question states: “The Board of Directors of Coupeville School District No. 204 adopted Resolution No. 25-13, concerning a replacement levy for educational funding. This proposition would fund necessary educational programs and operations that are not funded by the State and authorize the District to levy the following excess taxes, replacing an expiring levy, upon all taxable property within the District.”
Mahaffy objected to the word “necessary,” which he argued is not impartial and creates prejudice.
“Calling it ‘necessary’ seemed more like an opinion or an assertion,” he said. “That’s why we are voting on it. To decide whether it is necessary.”
“While the District and the Board of Directors do believe the programs supported by levy funding are necessary to meet the learning needs of every student we serve,” [Leatherwood] wrote, “we understand that the ballot title appeal is only about one specific wording issue. Because the appeal is limited to this single point, the District does not object to this wording change.”
| COUPEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 204 |
|---|
| Proposition No. 1, Educational Programs & Operations Levy – four year levy (2027-2030) |
| Proposition No. 2, Capitol Technology Levy – four year levy (2027-2030) |
