It Looks Like Measure K Lost – by Small Margin

, the proposal on Tuesday's ballot to extend and increase an existing parcel tax for the schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District appears to have been defeated.

In the semi-official results, it received a commanding simple majority of the votes – 64.59 percent – but it needed a two-thirds majority to pass.

It would have raised the current parcel tax of 7.2 cents per square foot of building area to 10.2 cents a square foot. It would also have extended the tax to June 30, 2017. The current levy expires June 30, 2014.

The school board placed the measure on the ballot in part to reduce class sizes in high school and middle school and maintain lower class sizes in grades K-2.

The semi-official results show 30,559 votes cast, with 19,738 yes votes and 10,821 no votes. 

The vote by mail total far exceeded the polling place votes, with 18,986 votes cast by mail versus 11,573 at the polls. Those voting at the polls would have passed the measure, with 7,854 in favor and 3,719 against. But those voting by mail fell below two-thirds with 11,884 yes votes and 7,102 no votes.