january 2014 vol.14 no. 2 special publication€¦ · january 2014 vol.14 no. 2 special publication...
TRANSCRIPT
January 2014 Vol.14 No. 2
SPECIAL PUBLICATION
T he White Salmon Valley School District is
preparing to ask the voters to approve a
three-year replacement levy on February 11,
2014. These levy funds will be used to support the ba-
sic operating expenses of our schools for the 2015-
2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. Levy
funds help pay for a portion of the basic and fundamen-
tal educational programs and services required to edu-
cate all of our students, including teaching and support
staff, curriculum, technology, instruction and learning
supplies, increased utility costs, facility maintenance,
and many other services and programs not adequately
funded by the state.
At the December 19, 2013 Board meeting, the
Board of Directors: Paul Mosbrucker, Kris Kreps, Dave
Karlson, Eric Shank, and Wayne Goodrich approved the
special election replacement maintenance and opera-
tion levy for Tuesday, February 11, 2014, in the
amount of $2,630,000 each year over the three-year
levy term. This represents an increase of $235,000 and
includes $100,000 for maintaining district technology
so that the district will not have to run a separate tech-
nology levy in conjunction with this levy. The technol-
ogy levy that was passed in 2008 for $200,000 per year
for three years provided the district with current class-
room technology. We are now in year five of that imple-
mentation cycle. The technology has served us well, but
there is a need to make upgrades to support our current
teaching and learning demands.
The remaining $135,000 will be used for curricu-
lum to meet the implementation of the new Common
Core State Standards in Language Arts and Math, a .5
drama teacher (CHS/HMS), a .5 ELL teacher (WES),
and increased preschool support. The school board had
to prioritize these items from a list of identified district
needs totaling over $800,000.
New Boiler System at Whitson
Our district was awarded a $900,000 state energy
grant during 2013 that provided energy saving upgrades
across all three buildings. This grant allowed the district
to make upgrades without going to the voters for a levy
or bond measure. We are very proud of the outstanding
work that our facilities and grounds personnel have
done in maintaining our aging schools and for the par-
ents and community members that have stepped up to
help with various facilities projects in our schools.
Our district is very grateful for the long history of
community support we have received for our schools.
Our staff and administration are committed to building a
world class educational system in our district that meets
the needs of each student and is one that our community
can be proud of.
District Features a Replacement Levy for 2015-2017
January 2014 Bear News Special Publication Page 2
What is the amount of the replacement levy and what will it cost taxpayers?
Where are the Levy Dollars Spent?
1% = Food Services
15% = Extracurricular Activities
(Sports and Clubs)
13% = Classroom Supplies &
Services
9% = Operational Support,
Supplies, Utilities, &
Services
62% = Basic Ed Staff not
Funded by State
Est. 2014 Projected
2015
Projected
2017
Projected
2016
M&O Levy $2.38 $2.61 $2.61 $2.61
Bond $0.33 $0.33 $0.33 $0.33
Tech Levy $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total $2.71 $2.94 $2.94 $2.94
What are the Total School Tax Rates for White Salmon Valley Schools?
What is the M&O Levy Amount Per Home?
Assessed
Valuation
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$500,000
$750,000
Est. 2014 $238 $357 $476 $595 $714 $833 $952 $1,190 $1,785
Projected
2015-2017
$261
$392
$522
$653
$783
$914
$1,044
$1,305
$1,958
T he proposed replacement levy for the 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 collections will be
$2,630,000 per year. This amount represents approximately 20% of the school operating budget. The
M & O levy will cost property owners approximately $2.61 per $1,000 assessed value for 2015, 2016
and 2017. (Please note chart below).
January 2014 Bear News Special Publication Page 3
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SCHOOL TAX RATES
Tax Rates for Replacement Levy
2015 (proposed rate $2.61/$1,000), 2016 (proposed rate $2.61/$1,000) & 2017 (proposed rate $2.61/$1,000)
These rates are based on per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Current School Tax Rates
2014 (estimated rate $2.38/$1,000)
T he M & O levy funds are the difference
between state allocations for school funding
and the actual cost of operating our schools.
State support for school operations is down to 69% and
local levy funds are required to pay for essential ser-
vices and programs. The February 11 levy is not an ad-
ditional tax but replaces the levy that expires next year.
The last M & O levy that was approved in February of
2012 expires in December of 2014. This levy would
replace it, beginning in the spring of 2015.
This proposed M & O levy would help to maintain the
current level of teachers and programs within the dis-
trict.
This proposed M&O levy provides approximately 20%
of the operating budget.
The state authorizes districts to levy up to 28% of the
district’s levy base. Our School District Board of
Directors has chosen to keep the actual levy amount
lower at 21.3% of the levy base.
What is a Maintenance & Operation Levy (M & O Levy)?
We welcome your questions:
Dr. Jerry Lewis, Superintendent, 493-1500
Board Members:
Wayne Goodrich
Eric Shank, [email protected]
Kris Kreps, 493-3179
Dave Karlson, [email protected]
Paul Mosbrucker,
Maintenance and Operation Levy Questions & Answers Q. The February election is a maintenance and operation levy proposal. What is the difference between a
maintenance and operation levy and a bond issue?
A. Maintenance and operation levy funds are used to pay daily expenses of the school district. Among these operat-
ing expenses are salaries and benefits for new and existing professional and support staff, educational supplies and
materials, general maintenance and upkeep of facilities, and utility and fuel costs. Bond issues provide for new con-
struction and/or renovation of existing facilities. A good way to remember the difference is to recall the saying,
“Bonds are for building, levies are for learning”.
Q. What are the voter-approved requirements for the levy?
A. All levies now need a simple majority of 50% + 1 vote for approval.
Q. Is there a special tax exemption for senior citizens?
A. YES. For information about your status, please contact White Salmon Senior Center (Pioneer Center) at 493-
3068 or the office of the Klickitat County Assessor for details at 1-800-764-2235.
Q. When must I register to vote?
A. If you have questions about registering to vote, please contact the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office at
1-800-583-8050 or the Skamania County Auditor’s Office at 509-427-3730.
Q. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
A. You may contact Dr. Jerry Lewis, Superintendent of the White Salmon Valley School District, at 509-493-1500.
January 2014 Bear News Special Publication Page 4
Non Profit Bulk Rate
US Postage PAID
EDDM 8486785
White Salmon, WA 98672
“Box Holder”
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Your Levy Dollars Support Learning for all Students
Whitson Elementary
Henkle Middle School
Whitson Elementary
Henkle Middle School
Columbia High School Columbia High School
Columbia High School