ARLINGTON — Millions of dollars, dozens of jobs and an increase in class sizes will be at stake Tuesday when voters in the Arlington School District decide whether to renew a maintenance and operations levy.
The district came within 35 "yes" votes of passing its levy in March, and has one more chance for passage this year.
By state law, school levies require a 60 percent supermajority. The district came within one-half of 1 percent of passing in March.
No decisions have been made, but cuts could include the equivalent of 50 to 65 full-time administrative, teaching and nonteaching jobs across the district, said Deb Borgens, the district’s finance director.
"We know it would have to be $3 million in employee costs, and that would be salary and benefits," she said.
The district would put on hold the purchase of new textbooks, eliminate most teacher training and increase some class sizes, particularly in the kindergarten through third-grade range, Borgens said. The district has been able to lower class sizes in the early grades in recent years , she added.
Also likely to be cut would be some sports and extracurricular programs. Only field varsity teams would be likely to survive.
"I think the vast majority of people would remember that some of the things that motivated them most in school were things we would probably have to eliminate," said Linda Byrnes, the district’s superintendent. "They are the extra pieces the local community pays for."
If the levy fails this year, but another passes in 2005, the district could not begin collecting the tax money until 2006.
About $4 million would be cut from next year’s budget if the levy fails, and another $3 million would be pared during the 2005-06 school year.
The levy accounts for about 18 percent of the districts $37 million budget.
John Burkholder, chairman of the levy campaign, is a parent with two students at the district’s high school and middle school. His children have benefited from the district’s program for highly capable learners, as well as band, choir, junior varsity and varsity sports programs.
"If those things were gone, their educational experiences would be reduced a great deal," he said.
The levy rates would begin at $3.09 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2005, then drop each of the next three years, hitting a low of $2.90 per $1,000 for 2008. For a $200,000 home, the tax would be $618 in 2005.
The existing rate is $3.15 per $1,000 of assessed value, which costs the owner of the $200,000 home $630 a year.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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