Voters were saying “yes” to the Edmonds School District Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy, which was passing by a 65 percent margin Tuesday night.

With 30 percent of votes counted, the total yes votes were 16,741 while no votes stood at 8,997.

The replacement levy collection averages $43.9 million per year for each of the four years, 2011 through 2014. With the replacement, the rates per thousand are projected to increase slightly from $1.64 per $1,000 in 2011 to $1.75 per $1,000 in 2014. These rates are lower than the current levy rates, which will expire at the end of 2010 and ranged from $2 per $1,000 in 2007 to $1.75 per $1,000 in 2010.

The replacement levy funds the following:

-Additional teachers to help keep class sizes smaller

-Paraeducators and staff who support the educational programs

-Textbooks and instructional materials

-Student transportation

-Athletics, music and drama

-Co-curricular activities

-Services for special-needs students

-Support for programs, services and technology

-Staff training to improve teaching and student learning