BOTHELL — Voters in the Northshore School District have three measures to decide on the Feb. 9 ballot that aim to maintain existing education programs, upgrade technology and improve buildings and fields.
The state’s 11th largest school district straddles the King and Snohomish county line. About one third of the population resides in Snohomish County, which includes 10 of the district’s 31 schools.
The district’s goal with the trio of ballot measures is to keep the same overall tax rate of $4.07 per $1,000 of assessed value that property owners now pay. On a $300,000 home, that would be $1,221 for each of the next four years.
Proposition 1 is a four-year replacement levy that would continue to provide about 20 percent of the district’s day-to-day operating budget. It would provide increasing amounts beginning at $40 million in 2011 and reaching $44.5 million in 2014.
The cost to the taxpayer would vary slightly each year, beginning at $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2011 and ending with $1.93 per $1,000 in 2014.
Superintendent Larry Francois said the levy has become increasingly important because of a tight state budget that has resulted in significant cuts to basic education.
Proposition 2 is a four-year technology levy. It would raise $6 million a year to maintain and enhance classroom technology. Cost per $1,000 of assessed value would dip from 28 cents in 2011 to 26 cents in 2014.
Proposition 3 is a 20-year, $149.2 million bond for capital projects, such as roofs, heating systems and Internet capability for schools and classrooms. It also would renovate aging schools including Woodinville High School and Kenmore Junior High and replace play fields and improve athletic facilities at schools and at Pop Keeney Stadium.
“It is to protect what we have,” Francois said of the bond. “In some respects, a lot of these maintenance projects are pay me now or pay me later.”
The two levies require a simple majority; the bond proposal would need a 60 percent supermajority.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
Prior stories
This is the last story outlining local school levy and bond measures on the Feb. 9 ballot. The school districts with proposals are Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Mukilteo, Northshore, Snohomish and Sultan. To see previous stories, go to www.heraldnet.com.
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