Granite Falls board backs renewal of operations and capital levies to fund maintenance, safety and fields

The Granite Falls School District board voted at its regular meeting to adopt two resolutions supporting the renewal of local levies that fund operations and capital projects.

Board members moved and seconded motions to adopt Resolution 08, supporting the EP&O (operations) levy, and Resolution 09, supporting the capital and technology levy. Both motions were approved by voice vote when the chair asked, "All in favor?" and members responded "Aye." The meeting record shows no roll-call tally; the vote was recorded as a voice vote with the motion carrying for each resolution.

Allison King, identified as lead of the Yes for Kids Granite Falls committee, urged the board to support renewal of both levies. "The state doesn't fully fund education," King said, urging voters to renew an existing levy that, she said, will keep the district’s current rate and pay for critical staff, building maintenance and curriculum needs. King described the renewal as "not asking for any new money; we're just asking to renew the current levy, which will keep the rate at what we're paying now." The district also emphasized the levies will support athletics and community uses of district facilities.

Board discussion framed the operations levy as a routine and significant part of district funding: the chair noted levies typically account for about 15% of a district's budget and that local funding helps make up for state funding gaps. In describing the capital levy, members highlighted deteriorating fields and the need to invest in HVAC and other building systems so school facilities can continue to host community events and sports.

The district staff described public outreach and legal review of levy-notice language; staff said the office worked with a legal firm, Foster Garvey, and posted levy application materials and notifications on the district website, including a pop-up notice. Two residents applied to serve as the official "yes" committee; no local resident applied for the official "no" committee during the advertised period.

The board did not record a roll-call vote count in the meeting transcript and minutes; the motions were adopted by voice vote and recorded as "Aye." The board paired the levy endorsements with reminders that the measures are renewals intended to maintain current service and support community use of district facilities.

The board moved on to consent items and adjourned the meeting at 06:49.