Two-mill levy approved by more than two to one margin

Voters in Tuesday’s school board election approved a two-mill levy by more than a two to one margin.

The levy is a renewal tax and keeps current property taxes the same. A property tax, the two-mill levy is a $2 tax per each $1,000 of valuation of a home.

“It’s wonderful,” Clovis schools Director of Operations Gene Bieker said of the two-mill levy passing. “That’s the one that supports us districtwide.”

About 5 percent, or 1,031, of the nearly 21,000 voters braved Tuesday’s cold temperatures and snow to vote in Curry County.

Curry County Clerk Coni Jo Lyman said she believes the poor weather affected the turnout for the election but turnout for school board elections is never high.

Clovis voters approved the levy with 465 votes for and 198 votes against. Clovis voters chose Paul Cordova in District 3 for the Clovis Municipal Schools board of education over incumbent Rodney Muffley.

“I’m excited, very happy,” said Cordova, who claimed 68 votes to Muffley’s 40. “I’m ready to go to work for our children and work with the school board members.”

Muffley said he was disappointed that he lost but was glad the two-mill levy passed.

“I knew it would be a low turnout with the weather,” Muffley said. “It came down to the one who got people out to vote today. I wish him (Cordova) the best of luck.”

Charles Guthals took the District 4 seat unopposed and Terry Martin retained his District 5 seat.

Melrose voters approved a $1,100,000 bond and the two-mill levy by almost a three to one margin. Voters in Melrose also chose Jubal Pierce for Position 1 on the Melrose Municipal Schools board of education over incumbent Kenneth Jacobs. Scott Dickerman took Position 2 unopposed and Neal Delk took Position 3 unopposed.

Texico voters chose Tim Foote for Position 2 on its school board over Harrison Hamer. Cary Crist took Position 1 unopposed and Jim Pena took Position 3 unopposed.

Grady voters approved the two-mill levy on a three to one margin. Grady voters also chose incumbent Allen Wade Edwards over Jerome Provencio for Position 1 on the Grady Municipal Schools board of education. Quentin Wood took Position 2 unopposed and Rodney Bone took Position 3 unopposed.