'A Big Step Forward': Centralia School Levy Surges to 69-Vote Lead on Third Try
By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com Centralia's two-year replacement levy appears to be getting closer after last-minute ballots counted on Wednesday tipped the measure to 50.62%. The measure leads with 69 votes - a bigger lead than on election night, when it fell behind with 23 votes. It must retain a 50% majority plus one vote to pass. The school board members and staff were delighted with the 92-vote turnaround and expressed excitement during a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday evening. Two previous attempts in the last 14 months to pass a replacement levy have failed, but the district reacted twice by lowering its proposed levy amount. The Lewis County Auditor's Office announced that the next election will be published on Thursday, May 6th, and that the election will be confirmed the next day. "This is really about our students, our community, our future," said Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant to the board of d