Brinnon school levy passes

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Judging by the initial results of the Feb. 13 special election ballot, the Brinnon School District has reason to celebrate.

The Brinnon School District’s two-year maintenance and operation replacement levy was passing not just by a simple majority, but by a supermajority, receiving 328 yes votes, or 61.54 percent, for approval, versus 205 “no” votes, or 38.46 percent as of Feb. 16.

The Jefferson County Elections Office also reported that the Queets-Clearwater School District proposal, in West Jefferson County, received 20 votes, or 68.97 percent, for approval, versus 9 votes, or 31.03 percent, for rejection. The election results are set to be certified by the Jefferson County Auditor's Office on Feb. 23.

“I’m pleased that our levy passed,” Brinnon Superintendent Patricia Beathard said. “I want 100 percent of our residents to support our local school and children, but I’m quite pleased that more than 60 percent of our residents voted in support of the levy.”

With the passage of the levy, Beathard noted that Brinnon is already planning for the 2018-19 school year.

“We’ll continue to be able to provide teaching assistants in the classroom to support learning,” Beathard said. “We recently received approval to continue with the Washington Reading Corps, and levy funds will help with our portion of the cost of that program.”

Beathard also credited the levy with allowing Brinnon to continue free preschool for local residents, as well as swimming lessons that are planned for all students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

“It’s a joy to work at the Brinnon School,” Beathard said. “We’ve worked together as a school team to create a warm and productive learning environment.”

To thank the community for its support, Beathard invited them to attend “a big event” March 23, bringing together a talent show, a student art exhibit, a silent auction and a dinner at the school. “I encourage them to come by, to visit and get to know our school community,” Beathard said.