The Central Kitsap School District’s second attempt to pass a replacement educational enrichment programs and operations levy in 2024 remains too close to call in the opening days of ballot counting.

A slight majority was shown voting no on election night April 23. The latest update shows those voting in favor at 50.3% of the counted ballots, while those against total 49.7%. 18,038 votes had been counted as of April 26.

16,738 votes were tallied in total in the district’s first attempt to pass a replacement levy in February. 50.41% of those made up a slim but simple majority against the levy, prompting the district to file the measure for this month’s special election.

Approval of the levy would lead to collection of $21 million in 2025, $22 million in 2026 and $23 million in 2027 from Central Kitsap property owners. The estimated collection rate would be $1.50 per $1,000 assessed property value each year, or $600 a year on a $400,000 home.

District officials say a second levy failure would result in just under $30 million of funding lost, including the anticipated levy funding, $8 million in federal dollars via Heavy Impact Aid and hundreds of thousands in Local Effort Assistance.