Civic Context: The North Mason School District replacement levy failed twice in 14 months — in February and November 2025 — and each failure deepened cuts. On April 28, 2026, voters approved the district’s third attempt, a reduced measure, restoring the funding stream for 2027–2030.
Last refreshed: October 23, 2026 (Pacific).
October 2026 update: The April 28, 2026 levy passed — about 53.5% yes (2,130 to 1,851), certified May 8, 2026 — at a reduced $1.01 per $1,000 rate ($18.9 million over 2027–2030), down from the $1.28 ask voters rejected twice in 2025. This page has been updated from its pre-election version.
North Mason’s Levy Has Failed Twice. April 28 Is the Third Attempt.
For Mason County civic watchers, the April 28 special election was more than a routine levy vote — it’s the third chapter in a policy story that has reshaped the North Mason School District over the past 14 months.
The replacement levy failed in February 2025. It failed again in November 2025. The district cut approximately $4.5 million following the first failure. Heading into the third election, the district cut a further $1.3 million, eliminated two administrative positions, and reduced the ask to $1.01 per $1,000 — and on April 28, 2026, voters approved it, restoring the funding stream for 2027–2030.
How Washington’s Levy System Works
Washington state’s school funding model pays for a defined “basic education” baseline. Programs and services outside that definition — athletics, arts, music, counseling, security staff, after-school programs, certain facility needs — must be funded locally through voter-approved levies.
Replacement levies renew expiring authorization; they are not new taxes. When voters decline to renew, the district cannot substitute other funds. The programs either operate at reduced capacity or are eliminated.
A Chronology of the North Mason Levy Battle
- February 2025: First vote — levy fails. District responds with $4.5 million in cuts across athletics, arts, counseling, security, and after-school programs.
- November 2025: Second vote — levy fails again. District continues operating under reduced budget heading into the 2025–2026 school year.
- April 28, 2026: Third attempt — a reduced ask. The measure authorized $18.9 million over 2027–2030 ($4.5 million in 2027, rising to $4.95 million in 2030) at an estimated $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from the $1.28 rate on the failed 2025 proposals (about $5,577,446 annually through 2029). Voters approved it with about 53.5% yes; results were certified May 8, 2026.
What Makes This Pattern Unusual
School levy failures of this duration are uncommon in Washington state. Most districts that bring replacement levies to voters see them pass on the first or second attempt. North Mason’s situation reflects a pattern of voter resistance that has emerged in several rural and semi-rural Washington communities since 2024, where skepticism about school spending levels has grown alongside property tax increases from other sources.
The North Mason School District serves communities in both Mason County and portions of Kitsap County, meaning the vote outcome is shaped by two different county electorates.
What Civic Watchers Should Watch For
April 28 results were released after 8 PM, with initial returns reflecting mail-in ballots received before Election Day. The levy passed — about 53.5% yes (2,130 to 1,851) — and the Mason County Canvassing Board certified the results on May 8, 2026. With funding restored for 2027–2030, district budget discussions since then have turned to restoring the programs cut after the 2025 failures.
Track results at masoncountywa.gov and via the Mason County Auditor at 360-427-9670 ext. 468.
Full voter guide: North Mason School District Levy: April 28 Ballot Guide. For broader Mason County government news, see SR-3 Belfair Bypass Gets $48.3M & Mason County News.
Related: North Mason School District Levy on April 28 Ballot
Frequently Asked Questions: North Mason Levy History and April 28
How many times has the North Mason levy failed?
Twice — in February 2025 and November 2025. The April 28, 2026 vote was the third attempt — and it passed. Each prior failure led to budget cuts and program reductions across the district.
What did the first levy failure cost the district?
The February 2025 failure triggered approximately $4.5 million in budget cuts and staff reductions, affecting athletics, arts, music, counseling services, security staffing, and after-school programs.
Why can’t the district use other funding to replace the levy?
Washington state school funding has categorical restrictions. Levy revenue covers programs outside the state’s basic education formula — the district cannot legally redirect state education funds to replace voter levy revenue.
What did the April 28, 2026 vote decide?
Voters approved the reduced replacement levy — $18.9 million over 2027–2030 at an estimated $1.01 per $1,000 — so the additional cuts beyond the current $4.5 million level that a third failure would have required were avoided, and levy-funded programs have funding again from 2027.
Does the district serve only Mason County voters?
No. The North Mason School District covers portions of both Mason County and Kitsap County. The April 28 levy vote involved registered voters within district boundaries in both counties.
Where do official Mason County election results get posted?
The Mason County Auditor released initial results after 8 PM on Election Day, April 28, 2026, and posts certified results at masoncountywa.gov. The Auditor’s office is at 360-427-9670 ext. 468.
