School districts dealing with failed levies
The $235,000 technology acquisition and depreciation levy on the ballot for the Hamilton High School District was defeated by a vote of 1,925 against and 1,512 in favor. Out of a total number of 8,164 voters, 3,458 votes were cast in the election, a 42 percent voter turnout. Trustee James Shea was re-elected to another three-year term, garnering 2,036 votes. Newly elected Nancy Ballance garnered 1,416 votes and will serve a three-year term.
Hamilton Superintendent Duby Santee expressed disappointment at the failure of the levy.
“We have a lot of technology equipment,” said Santee, “but it is not well coordinated and much is in need of updating.” He said the computer labs at the Middle School are 11 years old. Right now the school is spending about $100,000 annually for licensing and software out of the general fund.
Santee said that the district would do the best it can with what it has, but it is hard to integrate the technology into the school curriculum if it may not be there when you need it.
On the brighter side, Santee said that the school had received funding from the Governor’s Legacy program through the Department of Commerce. That funding, a $750,000 grant, was recently approved by the legislature and will pay for replacing the school’s aging boiler, heating and ventilation systems and make temperature controls available in each classroom.
Voters shot down a proposed operation and maintenance levy for $150,000 in the Florence-Carlton School District by a vote of 644 to 566. Voter turnout was 26 percent as 1,211 out of 4,644 registered voters cast ballots in the election.
Vickie Cornish was re-elected to the Board of Trustees with 844 votes and will continue to serve as President of the Board. Dorothy Rhodes was elected with 795 votes.
With only a 9 percent voter turnout, 506 out of 5,375 registered voters cast ballots in the Corvallis School District. Elected to the Board of Trustees was Ginny Hoffman with 406 votes, Dan Wolsky with 350 votes and Adam Sangster with 321 votes.
Other election results:
Darby Fire District: Marc Snavely was elected by a vote of 271 over his sole opponent, Mike Stark, who got 99 votes. There was a 29 percent turnout at the polls, 373 out of 1,290 registered voters.
Elected by acclamation:
DRAINAGE DISTRICTS
Humble Drainage District: 1 full term position to be appointed
Willow Creek Drainage District: Charles McRae
FIRE DISTRICTS
Corvallis Rural Fire District: Patricia Linneweh, David H. Cowardin
Florence Rural Fire District: Keith O’Brien
Hamilton Rural Fire District: Robert R. McKee
Painted Rocks Rural Fire District: Edward Reuter, Ray J. Smith
Stevensville Rural Fire District: A.C. “Andy” Anderson, Randy J. Jones
Sula Rural Fire District: Brian Gartner
Three Mile Rural Fire District: Faron D. Stevens, Gordon P. Blietz Sr.
Victor Rural Fire District: Lawrence A. Draper, Clifford A. Simonsen Jr.
West Fork Rural Fire District: Richard Bonnett
IRRIGATION DISTRICTS
Bitterroot Irrigation District: Harvey J. Hackett (Div #3), John E. Schmiedeke (Div #4)
Blodgett Creek Irrigation District: 1 full term position to be appointed
Canyon Creek Irrigation District: Brian Sutherland
Charlos Irrigation District: Dave Lindquist
Daly Ditches Irrigation District: Nancy Schueler (Div #1), Tim Meuchel (Div #3)
Lomo Irrigation District: 1 full term position to be appointed
Mill Creek Irrigation District: Mark S. Haldorson
Sunset Irrigation District: Mark McFadgen (Div #2)
Ward Irrigation District: Cody Lee (Div #3)
LIBRARY DISTRICTS
North Valley Library District: David Anderson, Rita Faulkner, Jamison Starbuck, Gayle Tom (unexpired term)
PARK DISTRICTS
Lone Rock Park District: Elizabeth Ballard, Carol L. Ross, Travis Hardy, plus 1 unexpired term position to be appointed
Stevensville West Park District: 1 unexpired term position to be appointed
Victor Park District: 2 full term positions to be appointed.
Pantry Partners collection drive
Eleven-year-old Savannah Conover of Stevensville has launched a collection drive for Pantry Partners. Her mission is to provide the north valley’s food bank with personal hygiene products for people in need during these difficult economic times. She has placed boxes at Cenex, Rocky Mountain Bank, Les Schwab Tires, Valley Drug, Aslin-Finch Feed & Farm, McNulty Chiropractic and Stevensville Community Medical Clinic. This is Savannah’s second year of collecting items for Pantry Partners. The drive will run from May to October and Savannah hopes to collect even more than last year.