Tuesday’s Oak Harbor School District levy election was satisfying, but disconcerting at the same time.
The all-important Levy 1, which will maintain current educational services and backfill some earlier cuts, was approved. The majority of voters did what they had to do for education, despite the worrying economic times and the property tax hike entailed in the proposition, from 51 cents per thousand to 74 cents per thousand. On a $300,000 home, that’s another $69 annually when most paychecks are already stretched to the limit.
Particularly worrisome was the slim margin of victory, which stood at 51 percent approval with a handful of votes yet to count. A year ago, that would have spelled a sizable defeat, because a 60 percent majority was required to approve school levies. But the Legislature changed the requirement to a simple majority, and Oak Harbor’s levy squeaked through.
However, the closeness of the margin is concerning. Four years ago, the maintenance and operation levy had a 68 percent favorable rate, and four years before that it was 64 percent. Perhaps the economy was solely to blame for the decline in voter support, but perhaps there may have been other factors in play. The school board should make a special effort to seek out and solicit comments from those who voted “no,” so any misunderstandings can be cleared up before the next election, and any school district shortcomings can be addressed. Maintenance and operation levy approval should be a sure thing, and the fact that the 2009 outcome was so close can’t be ignored.
As for Levy 2, which called for the hiring of additional math teachers through another tax assessment of 24 cents per thousand, it fared poorly, garnering only 44 percent of the vote. Obviously, it was asking too much in a time of economic crisis, and many voters wondered why outstanding math instruction has to be an “extra.” Judging by the results, the school board should consider adjusting its spending priorities.
Congratulations to Oak Harbor voters for supporting their schools in difficult times. And for sending a message to the school board that some changes may be needed before the next election
