North Mason School Levy Passes with 53.5% Vote, Superintendent Calls It Trust

*TL;DR: North Mason School District’s $18.9 million levy cleared the 50% threshold with 53.5% support; Superintendent Kristine Michael hailed the result as a sign of trust.

Context A special election on April 28 counted 2,130 yes votes against 1,831 no votes, giving the levy a 53.5% approval. The measure needed just over half of the ballots to pass. Votes continue to be tallied ahead of the May 8 certification deadline.

Key Facts The levy proposes to raise $18.9 million over four years, starting with $4.5 million in 2027 and increasing to $4.95 million by 2030. Property owners would pay roughly $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed value each year. The district’s previous attempts in 2025 failed twice, garnering only 46% and 48.5% support respectively.

Superintendent Kristine Michael said the preliminary outcome “reflects the trust this community is placing in our schools and our students.” She pledged to keep working to restore and strengthen confidence in the district.

What It Means If certified, the levy will supplement state funding for classroom support, special education, counseling, transportation, food service, arts, athletics, security, and utilities. The additional revenue could stabilize programs that have faced cuts since the 2025 defeats.

The narrow margin suggests a divided electorate, with Mason County contributing the bulk of yes votes (2,089) and Kitsap County showing a slight opposition (43 no votes). Stakeholders will watch the final count and any legal challenges that could affect implementation.

Looking Ahead The district will monitor the certification process and begin budgeting for the incremental tax increases. Future community meetings will likely focus on how the new funds will be allocated and whether the district can maintain the trust signaled by this vote.