By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
The neighboring Arlington and Darrington school districts have more in common than geography and on-going school construction projects: Both are proposing two-year maintenance and operations levies to their voters Feb. 5.
Under a relatively new state law, both districts could have asked voters to consider four-year packages but opted for the traditional two-year requests instead.
"We are not ready to go to the four-year (package) yet," said Sharon Builldt, co-chairwoman of the citizens’ levy committee in Arlington. "The district is changing so much we don’t know what is going to happen four years from now."
Neither proposal faces organized opposition.
Here is a description of both proposals, which require a 60 percent "yes" vote to pass:
The Arlington School District proposal calls for a levy rate of $3.03 per $1,000 in 2003 and $3.04 per $1,000 in 2004. That translates into $545 in 2003 and $547 in 2004 on a $180,000 home.
It would raise a maximum of $6.27 million in 2003 and $6.6 million in 2004.
The proposal would replace a two-year levy that expires in December and represents a slight drop in the $3.09 per $1,000 rate during those two years.
Local property taxes represent 17 percent of the Arlington district’s budget. The state and federal government provide the remainder, 79 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
"I hope that people can see education is an important investment," said Builldt, a mother with three children attending the district’s schools. "It’s important. It’s not a new tax. It’s a replacement tax."
About 80 percent of the levy money is used for teaching staff beyond what the state provides money for, educational assistants, instructional materials, counseling and health services, extracurricular activities, technology and other related costs.
Another 10 percent would contribute to food services, grounds and building maintenance, custodians and supplies and utilities. The remainder helps pay for such things as transportation, security, district managers and supplies.
The Darrington School District proposal is for $3.33 per $1,000 in 2002 and $3.58 in 2003. That translates into $599 in 2003 and $644 in 2004 on a $180,000 home.
It would raise $600,000 the first year and $650,000 during the second to replace the existing two-year levy.
Here’s how this year’s levy money is divided: sports and extracurricular activities, 25 percent; 18 percent for special education and 18 percent for utilities; 15 percent toward salaries and benefits and 7 percent for technology, books and supplies. Also 5 percent is earmarked for transportation and another 5 percent for food service programs; 4 percent pays for community center rentals, which includes the high school basketball court, and 2 percent for field trips.
Levy money will help the district account for inflation and increasing utility and custodial costs associated with a construction project to expand the high school and build a new bus barn
"There are no new expenses we are looking at earmarking this money for," said Myra Lewis, a business manager for the school district and Darrington High graduate who serves on the 12-member citizens’ levy committee. "…It is really to maintain programs and operations as they are now."
"We are trying to stay very sensitive to the economic climate in Darrington," she said.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446 or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
Proposed levy rate: $3.03 per $1,000 in 2003; $3.04 per $1,000 in 2004.
Cost on a $180,000 home: $545 in 2003; $547 in 2004.
Amount raised: $6.27 million in 2003; $6.6 million in 2004.
Proposed levy rate: $3.33 per $1,000 in 2003; $3.58 in 2004.
Cost on a $180,000 home: $599 in 2003 and $644 in 2004.
Amount raised: $600,000 the first year and $650,000 the second.
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