North Mason’s Third Levy Vote Is April 28 — Here’s Everything Belfair Needs to Know

North Mason voters are heading back to the ballot box on April 28, and this time, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. The North Mason School District is asking voters to approve a replacement levy for the third time — after narrowly failing in February 2025 and again in November 2025. Ballots are mailing now. The due date is April 28. The voter registration deadline is April 20.

This isn’t a new tax. It’s a replacement for an EP&O (Educational Programs and Operations) levy that voters approved in 2022 and expired at the end of 2025. But because the replacement failed twice, the district has been operating without that revenue since January — and it’s showing.

What the Levy Pays For

The proposed levy would authorize up to $5.5 million per year for four years to fund programs and services that state funding does not cover. Specifically:

• Music programs at North Mason High School and middle school
• Middle school and high school athletics
• School security officers at NMHS and North Mason Middle School
• After-school activities and enrichment programs
• Partial funding toward replacement of the aging North Mason community gymnasium roof

These aren’t extras. In North Mason, like most Washington school districts, state funding pays for basic classroom instruction — and essentially nothing else. The levy is what keeps music in the building, sports on the schedule, and safety staff in the hallways.

The Crisis Behind the Vote

After two levy failures, Superintendent Dr. Kristine Michael — who took over from Dr. Dana Rosenbach on July 1, 2025 — has been managing an increasingly difficult financial picture. Lower-than-projected enrollment has already created an estimated $1 million-plus budget shortfall, forcing staff reductions even before accounting for the full impact of the missing levy revenue. In late March 2026, the district submitted an emergency cash request, with Michael describing the situation to the Mason County Journal as “squeezing every dollar.”

The district will bring specific information about program staffing impacts to a board meeting in April — but the direction of travel is clear. Without levy revenue, cuts compound.

Why the Previous Votes Failed — and What’s Different This Time

The February 2025 levy received approximately 46.2% support — close, but short of the simple majority required under Washington state law. The November 2025 attempt also fell short. The district formed a levy committee ahead of the November run; community advocates are making another push ahead of April 28.

What’s different this time: the consequences are no longer theoretical. Staff have already been reduced. Programs are already being evaluated for cuts. North Mason voters have seen what “no” looks like in practice.

The Timeline That Matters

• Now: Ballots are mailing to registered Mason County voters
• April 14: Future Cougar Night at Sand Hill Elementary (791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair) for families with kids entering kindergarten fall 2026 — a chance to see what the school community looks like
• April 20: Last day to register to vote in Mason County for this election
• April 28: Ballot due date — return by mail or drop it at the Mason County Auditor’s office

For Newcomers: What North Mason Schools Actually Are

North Mason School District (NMSD) serves Belfair, Allyn, Tahuya, and the broader North Mason area. The district runs Sand Hill Elementary, Belfair Elementary, North Mason Middle School, and North Mason High School (home of the Bulldogs). NMHS sits at 100 E Campus Dr in Belfair. The district is relatively small — lower-than-projected enrollment is precisely why a flat-rate levy creates such an outsized impact on the budget.

What a Yes Vote Means for Your Neighbor

The kid in North Mason who plays trombone or runs varsity track or needs a security officer to feel safe in the hallway — these programs exist because of levy funding. When levies fail, it’s not administrators who feel it first. It’s students. Belfair’s school community has already absorbed cuts. The April 28 vote determines whether that continues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a new tax or a renewal?

It’s a replacement levy — replacing one that was previously approved by North Mason voters and expired at the end of 2025. State law requires voter approval to continue it.

How much would this cost a typical North Mason homeowner?

EP&O levy rates are set per $1,000 of assessed property value. The district authorizes up to $5.5 million per year; the actual per-home cost depends on your assessed value. For a typical North Mason home assessed around $450,000, the annual levy cost would be roughly $200–$250/year — but verify with the Mason County Assessor for your specific parcel.

When do I need to register to vote?

The voter registration deadline for the April 28 election is April 20, 2026. Register online at VoteWA.gov or at the Mason County Auditor’s office.

Where do I drop off my ballot in Belfair?

The Mason County Auditor’s office ballot drop box is in Shelton. There is also a drop box in Belfair — check the Mason County Auditor’s website (masoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor) for the current drop box locations nearest to you.

What programs have already been cut because of the levy failures?

The district has reduced staff due to lower enrollment and revenue shortfalls. Superintendent Michael indicated in April 2026 that she would bring specific program-level staffing details to the board — follow NMSD board meetings for the latest updates.

What happens if the levy fails again?

Deeper cuts to the programs listed above: music, athletics, security officers, after-school activities. The district would also face mounting pressure on the gym roof and other deferred capital needs that the levy was intended to partially address.

Where can I find official levy information?

Visit northmasonschools.org/page/levy-info or attend a North Mason School District board meeting. The Mason County Journal (masoncounty.com) has covered each levy attempt in detail.

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Related from Belfair Bugle: Original levy coverage: Schools & Youth April 8, 2026 | For parents: What the levy means for your child’s programs at NMHS | For homeowners: What the levy costs and why it’s on the ballot again

North Mason Parents: Here’s What the April 28 Levy Means for Your Kid’s Programs

If your child goes to school in the North Mason School District — Belfair Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, North Mason Middle School, or North Mason High School — April 28 is a date that directly affects what their school day looks like next year. The district’s replacement levy is on the ballot again, and this time, the cuts aren’t hypothetical. They’ve already started.

What Programs Are on the Line

The EP&O (Educational Programs and Operations) levy funds a specific set of programs that state education money does not cover. For North Mason families, that means:

• Music programs at North Mason Middle School and North Mason High School (NMHS)
• Middle school and high school athletics — including your NMHS Bulldogs teams
• School security officers at NMHS and North Mason Middle School
• After-school activities and enrichment
• Community gym roof — partial funding toward deferred replacement

If you have a student who plays in band, runs cross-country, plays soccer, participates in after-school activities, or relies on a security officer to feel safe at school — these programs run on levy dollars.

Where Things Stand Right Now

The levy failed in February 2025 (about 46% yes — short of the 50%+ required) and again in November 2025. Because it failed both times, the district has been operating without that revenue stream since January 2026. Lower-than-projected enrollment has added a separate $1 million-plus budget shortfall. Staff reductions have already happened.

Superintendent Dr. Kristine Michael has described the situation as “squeezing every dollar.” In April, she’s bringing specific program-staffing information to the North Mason School District board — meaning the school community will soon see exactly which positions and programs are being evaluated for further cuts.

Future Cougar Night — April 14

If you have a child entering kindergarten in fall 2026, Future Cougar Night is happening April 14 at Sand Hill Elementary, 791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair. This is your chance to see the school community in action and ask questions about what programs your kindergartner will walk into. The levy vote three weeks later will shape the answer.

What Parents Can Do Right Now

Your ballot is arriving in the mail now. The voter registration deadline is April 20. Ballots are due April 28. If you’re registered in Mason County, you vote by mail — no polling location needed. Drop it in the mail or use a Mason County ballot drop box.

If you haven’t registered yet, go to VoteWA.gov before April 20.

Talk to other North Mason parents, teachers, and coaches. The levy passes or fails based on voter turnout, and spring elections in small districts often turn on a few hundred votes.

Frequently Asked Questions for North Mason Families

If the levy fails again, will my child’s sport or music program be cut?

The levy funds athletics and music programs directly. A third failure means the district will need to make deeper cuts to these programs. Superintendent Michael is expected to bring specific program-level details to a board meeting in April — attend or watch the livestream at northmasonschools.org/page/board-meetings.

Does the levy affect elementary schools or just middle/high school?

The levy funds are primarily targeted at programs at North Mason Middle School and North Mason High School, plus school security at those two campuses. Elementary families benefit indirectly through the overall budget stability the levy provides to the district.

My child is entering kindergarten — should I be concerned?

If the levy fails again and cuts continue, your child will enter a district with fewer programs than it had before 2025. Attending Future Cougar Night on April 14 at Sand Hill Elementary is a good way to connect with the school community and stay informed.

Are there levy advocate groups I can connect with?

The district formed a community levy committee ahead of the November 2025 vote. Check the NMSD website at northmasonschools.org or local Facebook groups for current advocacy efforts.

When will we know if the levy passed?

Mason County results typically post the evening of election day (April 28) with the first count. Watch masoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor for election night results.

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Related from Belfair Bugle: Full levy guide: Everything Belfair needs to know about the April 28 vote | Original schools & youth coverage: April 8, 2026

North Mason Homeowner’s Guide to the April 28 Levy: What It Costs, What It Funds, and Why It’s on the Ballot Again

If you own property in the North Mason School District — anywhere from Belfair to Allyn, Tahuya to Union — you have a direct financial stake in the April 28 levy vote. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what you’re being asked to approve, what it will cost you, and why this is the third time you’ve seen it on the ballot.

What You’re Actually Voting On

This is an EP&O (Educational Programs and Operations) replacement levy — not a new tax, but a renewal of a levy that North Mason voters previously approved and that expired at the end of 2025. Under Washington state law, the district cannot simply continue collecting it. Voters have to reauthorize it each cycle.

The proposed levy authorizes up to $5.5 million per year for four years. The actual amount collected per year — and what it costs each property owner — is calculated against total assessed property values in the district.

What Does This Cost a North Mason Property Owner?

EP&O levy rates are expressed in dollars per $1,000 of assessed value. If your home is assessed at $450,000 (near the median for North Mason area), and the levy rate works out to roughly $0.50–$0.55 per $1,000, your annual levy cost would be approximately $225–$250 per year — or about $20/month.

Your exact cost depends on your parcel’s current assessed value. Check your Mason County property tax statement or look up your parcel at masoncountywa.gov for the accurate number. The Mason County Assessor’s office can also help you calculate the levy’s impact on your specific property.

Where the Money Goes

State funding covers basic classroom instruction in Washington schools. The levy fills the gap for everything else the community expects from a functioning school system: music programs at North Mason Middle School and NMHS, athletics for middle and high school students, school security officers, after-school activities, and partial funding toward the community gymnasium roof replacement — a capital need that has been deferred for years.

None of these programs have a state funding source. Without the levy, they are cut or significantly reduced.

Why It’s on the Ballot for the Third Time

Voters rejected the levy in February 2025 (roughly 46% yes, needing 50%+) and again in November 2025. Both times, it fell short by a margin that suggests the outcome turns on voter turnout more than deep opposition. Spring special elections typically draw fewer voters than fall elections — which means registered North Mason property owners who don’t return their ballots have an outsized effect on the result.

Since the November failure, the district has been absorbing the financial impact. Enrollment came in lower than projected, adding a separate $1 million-plus shortfall. Superintendent Dr. Kristine Michael submitted an emergency cash request in March 2026 and has been, in her words, “squeezing every dollar.” Staff reductions have already been made.

What a Third Failure Would Mean for the District — and Your Property

Beyond the direct program cuts, a third consecutive levy failure has broader implications for North Mason. School quality is a significant driver of residential property values. Districts that cut music, sports, and safety staffing over multiple years typically see enrollment decline further — which reduces state funding further, creating a compounding cycle. For property owners in Belfair, Allyn, and the surrounding area, the school district’s financial health is directly tied to the area’s long-term appeal and property values.

Key Dates for Property Owners

• April 20: Voter registration deadline (register at VoteWA.gov)
• April 28: Ballot due — mail or drop box
• Drop boxes: Check masoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor for Belfair-area locations

Frequently Asked Questions for North Mason Property Owners

How do I find out what the levy will cost me specifically?

Look up your parcel assessed value at masoncountywa.gov, then apply the levy rate per $1,000. The Mason County Assessor (360-427-9670 ext 491) can walk you through the calculation for your property.

Is this the same levy that was on the ballot in 2025?

Yes — the same fundamental proposal. It replaces the EP&O levy that voters approved in 2022 and that expired at the end of 2025. The levy amount (up to $5.5M/year) and duration (4 years) have remained consistent across all three attempts.

If I voted no before, has anything changed?

The core levy is the same. What has changed is the consequences: staff have been cut, a budget shortfall has been confirmed, and the emergency cash request signals the district is past contingency planning and into crisis management. Voters who were on the fence in November are now seeing the real-world outcome of a “no” vote.

Can the district raise the levy rate above the authorized amount?

No. The levy rate is capped by both the voter-approved maximum and state law limits on EP&O levies. The district cannot collect more than voters authorized.

Where can I read the full levy resolution?

Visit northmasonschools.org/page/levy-info or attend a North Mason School District board meeting. Agenda materials are posted in advance at northmasonschools.org/page/board-meetings.

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Related from Belfair Bugle: Full levy guide: Everything Belfair needs to know about the April 28 vote | Original schools & youth coverage: April 8, 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.

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Related from Belfair Bugle: Full levy guide: Everything Belfair needs to know about the April 28 vote | What’s happening at the Belfair library and Theler Wetlands this spring

What’s on the ballot: North Mason School District voters are deciding on a four-year replacement levy in the April 28, 2026 Special Election. Ballots were mailed April 7. This is the district’s third attempt after levy failures in February and November 2025.

North Mason School District Is Asking Voters to Try Again — Here’s What’s at Stake on April 28

If you live in the North Mason School District — which includes Belfair and surrounding areas — there’s a ballot on its way to your mailbox right now. The April 28, 2026 Special Election includes a replacement levy for the North Mason School District, and it’s the third time in about a year that the community has been asked to vote on it.

Ballots were mailed out April 7. Mason County’s ballot processing begins April 13, with results expected after 8 PM on April 28.

What the Levy Does

This is a replacement levy — not a new tax. It renews a levy that voters originally approved in 2022 and that expired at the end of 2025. The district is asking to collect up to $5,577,446 per year from 2026 through 2029 to fund programs and operations that state funding doesn’t cover.

The estimated tax rate is $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2026, declining slightly in subsequent years. For a home assessed at $400,000, that works out to roughly $512 per year.

Levy dollars pay for things the state’s basic education formula doesn’t fund: extracurricular activities, athletics, arts and music programs, counseling, security staff, transportation support, and classroom materials beyond the minimum required by the state.

What Happened After the Levy Failed

The February 2025 failure triggered immediate consequences. North Mason cut roughly $4.5 million from its budget and began staff reductions. The district passed resolutions authorizing layoffs and reductions in hours. Superintendent Kristine Michael described the district as “squeezing every dollar” to maintain essential services.

A November 2025 renewal attempt also fell short — finishing at approximately 48.5% support, just under the 50% plus one vote required for passage. Without levy funding restored, further reductions remain on the table for the 2026-2027 school year.

Schools in the North Mason District

The North Mason School District serves students across Belfair and the surrounding North Mason area. District schools include North Mason High School, Hawkins Middle School, Belfair Elementary, and Sand Hill Elementary — all located on or near the district campus in Belfair.

How to Return Your Ballot

Ballots must be received or postmarked by April 28, 2026. Drop boxes are available across Mason County. For drop box locations and ballot tracking, visit the Mason County Auditor’s website at masoncountywa.gov or call 360-427-9670.

Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy April 2026