Everett, Mukilteo planning levies

By Pamela Brice and Janice Podsada

For The Herald

The Everett and Mukilteo school districts each have two ballot propositions on Tuesday’s ballot.

Both are seeking four-year maintenance and operation levies to replace expiring ones.

Here is a look at each district’s proposals:

Eighteen percent of Everett School District’s operating budget going before voters Tuesday.

The district is seeking passage of a four-year $112.5 million replacement levy for school programs and operations, and a $74 million school renovation and technology bond.

A 60 percent "yes" vote is needed for passage, along with drawing at least 40 percent of the voters who turned out at the polls last November. That requirement caused a similar levy to fail by 135 votes in February of 1996, but when brought before voters again in April, the levy passed.

Currently, the owner of a $200,000 home pays approximately $1,208 a year in school taxes. If the replacement levy passes, that homeowner would pay about $82 less.

If the 15-year bond measure also passes, taxpayers will add approximately 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to their total tax bill.

If both propositions are approved, the tax impact for a $200,000 home would increase by $18 the first year and a little more after that.

Karen Madsen, vice president of the Everett School Board and co-chair of the schools’ levy and bond citizens committee, said the district uses levy funds to pay for teacher salaries, instructional programs, transportation, cost-of-living-adjustment raises and other expenses.

The $74 million bond is part of a long-term capital maintenance plan, Madsen said.

Two schools need major remodeling: Eisenhower Middle School and Emerson Elementary School. Classrooms also would be added at Jackson High School, Gateway Middle School and Penny Creek Elementary School.

The technology portion of the bond would go toward "equalizing access across the district," Madsen said, adding the last technology levy was 10 years ago.

Both measures — a four-year maintenance and operation levy and a six-year capital projects levy — would replace existing levies that expire this year.

Superintendent Gary Toothaker said the two measures would not increase the overall property tax rate.

While the overall levy rates will increase over the next four years, the rate for paying off voter-approved bonds for school construction will drop.

The levy would pay for more teachers and teacher assistants, as well as programs for gifted and special education programs and marching bands and clubs.

The second measure, a capital projects levy, would replace a levy that was approved by voters in 1996. The levy pays for renovations to school buildings and the replacement of facilities, upgrades to computer and technology systems, and the installation of more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.

Pamela Brice is a staff writer for the Enterprise weekly newspapers. You can reach her at 425-673-6522 or by email brice@heraldnet.com.

Proposed levy rates: $3.25 per $1,000 in 2003; $3.37 per $1,000 in 2004; $3.54 per $1,000 in 2005; $3.64 per $1,000 in 2006.

Cost on a $180,000 home: $585 for 2003; $606 for 2004; $637 for 2005; $655 for 2006.

Amount raised: $25.5 million for 2003; $27 million for 2004; $29 million for 2005; $30.5 million for 2006

Construction and technology bonds: Proposed first year rate, 91 cents per $1,000

Cost on $180,000 home: $163.80

Amount raised: $74 million.

Proposed levy rates: $2.45 per $1,000 in 2003; $2.53 per $1,000 in 2004; $2.70 per $1,000 for 2005; $2.79 per $1,000 for 2006

Cost on a $180,000 home: $441 for 2003; $455 for 2004; $486 for 2005; $502 for 2006

Amount raised: $18 million for 2003; $19 million for 2004; $20.5 million for 2005; $21.5 million for 2006.

Capital projects levy: Proposed levy rates: Vary between 13 cents and 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation during the six years

Cost on a $180,000 home: Ranges from $23.40 to $28.80