Voters in the Coupeville School District have always approved levies. It looks like that streak will continue as preliminary results show the maintenance and operations levy renewal is passing.

As of the first count released Tuesday evening, results of the Feb. 7 mail-in election showed the levy passing by a 63.5 percent margin, with 1,806 voters approving the levy and 1,038 voters rejecting it. The levy needs a 60 percent supermajority for approval.

“I’m pretty pleased,” Superintendent Bill Myhr said. “(The voters) honored the efforts of our teachers and staff and we need to honor that vote with hard work.”

The election won’t become official until the Island County Auditor certifies the election Feb. 17.

The four-year levy, which accounts for approximately 20 percent of the school district’s funding, pays for staff and teacher salaries, extra-curricular activities, technology upgrades and transportation.

The Coupeville School District will collect an estimated $1.9 million in property taxes in 2007. That amount will increase to $2.3 million in 2011.

The tax rate will increase over the next four years from $1.36 per $1,000 assessed property value to $1.42 in 2011.

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