Quilcene voters are on the edge of approving a new elementary school, according to the first count of ballots in Tuesday's Special Election.

A $12.3 million bond measure to pay for a new elementary school building that will replace the existing Quilcene Grade School was passing with 59.91 percent in favor during the first vote tally on Election Night. Opposition to the bond had 40.04 percent.

A 60-percent supermajority is needed for passage.

Unofficial results from the Jefferson County Elections Division had 331 "yes" votes, and 221 "no" votes.

Ballots from 552 Quilcene-area voters were counted in the first tally for the 2022 February Special Election. Another tally to update the vote count is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Quilcene school officials put Proposition 1 before voters with the message that the existing school, built eight decades ago, would be too costly to update.

The old building requires seismic upgrades to be safe in an earthquake, but that work is too costly to complete with the existing building, according to a 2019 study. There are also concerns with the building's failing electrical system and plumbing, as well as an air conditioning system that doesn't meet indoor air quality standards.

Proceeds from the bond will also be spent to improve the school's athletic fields to make them useable year-round. New space is also needed for the Career and Technology Education (CTE) Shop.

School officials noted that with an approval of Prop. 1, property owners in Quilcene School District No. 48 would see no increase to their current tax rate.

Tax rates will stay the same as the level set when voters approved the two-year levy in 2020 that paid for the replacement of the district's bus barn and maintenance shops.

A 20-year bond to pay for the new elementary school will continue the tax rate of roughly $500 per year for a median-priced property, according to the Quilcene School District.