February 3 Levy Election Passing with 64% of votes

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004—The Renton School District Education Replacement Levy is passing with a resounding 64.58 percent of the vote. A 60 percent “supermajority” of votes is needed to pass the measure, which will continue to provide about 24 percent of the district’s annual operating budget for the next four years. More than 13,000 voters — or 26 percent of the electorate — turned out in Tuesday’s election. King County Election officials say there are many more ballots to count. In past elections, late ballots have served the district well, increasing the percentage of positive votes.

The next update is today at 4 p.m. The election will be certified on February 13.

Renton school’s Superintendent Dolores Gibbons thanked the members of the Citizens for Renton Schools committee, co-chaired by Anne Rittenhouse and Marcie Maxwell, for the tremendous effort to run the all-volunteer campaign to pass the levy. In addition to fundraising, direct mailing, yard signs, buttons and other campaign-related activities, more than 275 volunteers made nearly 17,000 calls to voters throughout the district at phone banks set up by IKEA.

“It takes a committed group of community members, staff, parents and students to ensure our voters understand and appreciate what this election means for children of this district,” Superintendent Gibbons said. “Our district and community are truly indebted to this group of citizens for their commitment to education.”