Do I need to have children in North Mason schools to vote on the levy?

No. Any registered Mason County voter can vote. The levy is a property tax affecting all property owners in the district, not just families with school-age children.

I recently moved to Belfair — am I registered to vote in Mason County?

If you updated your voter registration to your current North Mason address, yes. If not, register at VoteWA.gov before April 20, 2026.

What schools are in the North Mason School District?

Sand Hill Elementary (791 NE Sand Hill Rd), Belfair Elementary, North Mason Middle School, and North Mason High School (100 E Campus Dr, Belfair).

Where can newcomers learn more about North Mason School District?

Visit northmasonschools.org/page/levy-info or the Mason County Journal at masoncounty.com for the full levy history.

When is Future Cougar Night for new Belfair kindergarten families?

April 14, 2026 at Sand Hill Elementary, 791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair — for families with children entering kindergarten fall 2026.

New to North Mason? Here’s What the April 28 School Levy Vote Is About — and Why It Matters

If you’ve recently moved to Belfair, Allyn, Tahuya, or anywhere else in the North Mason area, April 28 brings your first local school ballot — and it’s one that the whole community has been watching closely for over a year. Here’s the context you need to vote confidently.

The North Mason School District: A Quick Orientation

North Mason School District (NMSD) serves the North Mason area — including Belfair proper, Allyn, Tahuya, Union, and surrounding rural communities along Hood Canal and the SR-3 corridor. The district runs:

Sand Hill Elementary — 791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair
Belfair Elementary — adjacent to Belfair Town Center area, off SR 3
North Mason Middle School
North Mason High School — 100 E Campus Dr, Belfair — home of the Bulldogs

It’s a relatively small district, which means budget swings — up or down — land hard. Lower enrollment than projected this year has already created a $1 million-plus shortfall on top of the levy gap.

What Is an EP&O Levy?

Washington state funds basic classroom instruction for K-12 schools. It does not fund music, sports, extracurriculars, or school security officers. Those come from Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levies — additional property taxes that local voters approve to fill the gap between state funding and a full school experience.

The North Mason EP&O levy voters are being asked to approve would authorize up to $5.5 million per year for four years, funding music programs, athletics, school security officers at the middle and high schools, after-school activities, and partial funding for the community gymnasium roof.

Why Is This the Third Attempt?

North Mason voters approved a version of this levy in 2022. It expired at the end of 2025. The replacement levy went to voters in February 2025 — and failed, receiving about 46% yes when 50%+ was required. It went back to voters in November 2025 — and failed again. Both losses were close. Both turned, in part, on spring/fall special election turnout.

Since January 2026, the district has been operating without that levy revenue. Superintendent Dr. Kristine Michael — who started July 1, 2025 — has been managing the shortfall, submitting an emergency cash request in March and describing the situation as “squeezing every dollar.” Staff reductions have already occurred.

What This Means for Your New Community

When you moved to North Mason, part of what you chose was this community — the Bulldogs games at Phil Pugh Stadium, the Salmon in the Classroom programs at the PNW Salmon Center, the people who’ve been building something here over generations. The school district is the backbone of that community in ways that go well beyond the kids who currently attend.

North Mason parents, business owners, and long-time residents are all watching April 28 closely. As a new registered voter in Mason County, your ballot carries the same weight as everyone else’s — and in a small special election, it genuinely matters.

How to Vote in North Mason

Washington is an all-mail state. Your ballot should arrive in your mailbox before April 28. If you haven’t registered yet, the deadline is April 20 at VoteWA.gov. Return your ballot by mail (postmarked by April 28) or drop it at a Mason County drop box — check masoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor for the location nearest Belfair.

If you have questions about the levy specifics, visit northmasonschools.org or attend a North Mason School District board meeting — they’re open to the public and posted at northmasonschools.org/page/board-meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions for North Mason Newcomers

Do I need to have children in the school district to vote on the levy?

No. Any registered Mason County voter can vote in this election. The levy is a property tax, so it affects all property owners in the district — not just families with school-age children.

I moved here recently — am I registered in Mason County?

If you updated your voter registration to your North Mason address, yes. If you haven’t, go to VoteWA.gov before April 20 to register or update your address. You must be registered at your current Mason County address to receive the North Mason ballot.

Where is North Mason High School?

North Mason High School (NMHS) is located at 100 E Campus Dr, Belfair, WA 98528. It’s the home of the Bulldogs — the local team who just went 4-2 to start the spring baseball season.

What other community events are coming up around this vote?

Future Cougar Night — for families with kids entering kindergarten in fall 2026 — is April 14 at Sand Hill Elementary (791 NE Sand Hill Rd). It’s a great way to meet the school community and see what you’re voting on in action.

How do I learn more about North Mason School District before voting?

The district’s levy information page is at northmasonschools.org/page/levy-info. The Mason County Journal (masoncounty.com) has covered all three levy attempts in detail — search “North Mason levy” for the full history.