A slight boost in a Quillayute Valley School District levy failed to deter a win for the school district’s two-year $626,348 Maintenance & Operations levy in the Clallam County special election concluded Tuesday evening, Feb. 8. Over 65 percent of the ballots cast gave a "yes" vote to the measure. Only about a third of registered voters living in the district cast ballots, giving the levy 777 votes for and 418 against.

The vote percentage breakdown falls into past voting trends within the QVSD.

A slight boost in the levy rate will allow the QVSD to qualify for a significantly higher amount of matching state educational funds, QVSD Superintendent Diana Reaume said during the campaign backing the levy. The levy rate is $1.41 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Funds are used to maintain schools plus pay for additional teachers and extracurricular activities. A music program is expected to be returned to the high school thanks to the new funding. The roof the "old new" auxiliary gym is to be replaced and the heating system at Forks Elementary School modernized.

Jefferson County voters living within the QVSD boundaries gave the levy a similar percentage of approval, with 28 for and 16 against.

The vote for approval required 50 percent plus one vote, and is to be certified by the Auditor’s Office by Feb. 23.

While additional ballots still need to be counted the Clallam County Auditor’s office expects little change in the final percentage split.