Elizabeth Celms
Mercer Island Reporter

The Mercer Island School District’s 2008 Capital Facilities and Technology Levy has passed with a 69 percent majority vote. As of noon on March 12, there were 3,268 votes in favor of the levy and 1,464 (31 percent) opposed, according to the King County elections Web page. Of the district’s 15,870 registered voters, 4,736 ballots were cast on Tuesday, March 11.

The levy’s success, which far exceeded the newly required 50 percent-plus-one majority vote, elicited a wave of cheer from School Board members and MISD supporters.

“We’re delighted with the results, which are another indication of how wonderful the community is about supporting our schools, students and staff,” said Mercer Island School Board President Pat Braman.

School Board Vice President Janet Frohnmayer echoed this statement, adding words of gratitude to the many district members who rallied behind the levy.

“We want to thank the amazing people that helped campaign and get the message out to the community,” she said. “They did a wonderful job and had fun while doing it.”

The 2008 facilities and technology levy will cost Island taxpayers $9.9 million, with $6.7 million going toward technology upgrades. The four-year levy will cover a set number of projects, from school remodeling and facility improvements to replacing outdated computers and introducing new classroom multimedia.

“The beautiful thing is that the implementation of these funds has all been planned,” Frohnmayer said. “It’s all been laid out — what the money is going to be spent on and when over the next four years. That blueprint is in place.”

The Bellevue School District’s General Obligation Bond of $545,000,000 also passed with 67 percent of the vote, along with the Renton School District’s Maintenance and Operations Levy, which received 61 percent of the vote.

For more information on March 11 election results, go to: www.metrokc.gov.