Granite Falls board backs renewal of operations and capital levies

The Granite Falls School Board voted Dec. 10 to adopt two resolutions supporting the renewal of the district's operations levy (EP&O) and a separate capital and technology levy.

Board members approved Resolution 08, endorsing renewal of the EP&O operations levy, after hearing a brief presentation from Allison King, who identified herself as leader of the local "YES for Kids for Granite Falls" committee. King told the board the levy would renew current funding levels without increasing the local tax rate and would preserve staffing, maintenance and student programs the state does not fully fund.

The board then considered Resolution 09, supporting a capital and technology levy intended to fund building repairs, HVAC and air conditioning units and upgrades to deteriorating athletic fields used by the community. A board member noted the district serves as a de facto parks-and-recreation provider in Granite Falls and said the capital levy is needed to maintain facilities used for junior athletics and community events.

Both resolutions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the board responded "Aye" on both motions. The board did not record individual roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript.

Allison King, the only public pro-committee speaker during the levies discussion, said the community's businesses and residents support the renewals and emphasized that the levies would not raise homeowners' current tax rates. The board chair noted the district had followed legal-advertising requirements for forming pro and con committees and said the district posted notices on its website.

Next steps, according to the meeting discussion, include continuing public information work and finalizing the district's ballot language and timelines ahead of a February levy election. The district indicated it will post public materials and model language for outreach to ensure transparency.