Ballots were mailed last week to absentee voters for the March 13 special election on the Highline School District's $140 million educational programs and operations levy.

The four-year levy would replace a levy that expires this year. It would fund 18 to 20 percent of the district's budget.

District officials say the revenue raised would pay salaries and benefits for 95 teachers and 170 support staff as well as all training for teachers.

According to Highline Citizens for Schools president Lois Schipper, "When school levies were first conceived, they were intended to pay for 'extras,' such as athletics, music instruction, band and extracurricular activities.

"Today, school districts have come to depend on levy funds to pay for such basics as classroom teachers, bus drivers, textbooks, facilities maintenance and security on school campuses."

Schipper's group runs the pro-levy campaign.

The average tax rate would be about $2.64 per $1,000 of assessed value. That works out to $1,056 per year for a $400,000 home.

The levy needs a 60 percent yes vote to pass.

If it fails to pass on March 13, the district could resubmit the levy to voters in May.

However, Schipper points out the district would have to pay King County about $20,000 to run another election.

The district would also have to pay to prepare and mail informational materials it is obligated to produce to inform voters about the election.

"While our levies usually pass on a second try, running a second election is not the best use of the school district's limited funds," Schipper added.

Officials would also have to notify teachers of a possible reduction in force because of a levy failure at about the same time as the second election.

The levy has been endorsed by the city councils of Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines and SeaTac as well as the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

Also backing the levy are the White Center Chamber of Commerce, Discover Burien and the Highline Council PTSA.

Last week, King County Elections officials reminded absentee voters to avoid making stray marks on their ballot, sign the oath on the return envelope and mail the ballot back on or before March 13.

Absentee voters who have not received their ballots by March 2 should call 206-296-VOTE (8683).

Also last week, elections staffers certified the final results of the Feb. 6 election on a proposed SeaTac fireworks ordinance.

The ordinance would have overturned the city's ban on the discharging of personal fireworks.

Final results showed 977 votes (39.17 percent) for and 1,517 votes (60.83 percent) against the proposal.