By Kate Reardon
Herald Writers
The Stanwood-Camano Island and Lakewood school districts are asking voters Tuesday to consider replacing expiring levies to help pay for maintenance and operations.
Although both districts could ask for four-year packages, they opted for traditional two-year requests instead.
Supporters in Stanwood said they wanted to show voters the district is being responsible with tax money. A two-year levy would require the district to be accountable to voters more often. Lakewood points to an expected increase in student enrollment, which can make long-term financial planning trickier.
Neither proposal faces organized opposition.
Each proposal requires a 60 percent yes vote to pass. For each measure to be valid, the election turnout must be at least 40 percent of the number of voters who turned out at the polls in November.
Here is a description of both proposals:
The Stanwood-Camano School District proposal calls for a levy rate of $2.22 per $1,000 assessed valuation in 2003 and $2.34 per $1,000 in 2004. That means $400 the first year and $421 the second year on a $180,000 home.
It would raise a maximum of $6.43 million in 2003 and $7.13 million in 2004.
The proposal would replace a levy that expires in December and represents a slight increase in the 2001 rate of $2.14 per $1,000.
Terry Greer, school board president, said taxpayers would actually see little difference in their taxes because bond levy rates have dropped as the district pays off its debt of $54.58 million. The district expects to pay off its current bond debt by December 2013.
For comparison, the total school tax rate in 2001 was $4.32 per $1,000. In 2003, taxpayers would pay $4.08 per $1,000 if they approve this levy. In 2004, taxpayers would pay $4.14 per $1,000.
The maintenance and operation levy represents about 20 percent of the district’s annual operating budget, which is $34 million.
Levy supporters feel good about the proposal, but Greer said each election is a nail biter.
"Every year is close, and every year we need to campaign hard to educate voters," he said. "This is really essential for educating our children."
Out of the levy money raised, 57 percent would go for teaching and instructional support; 13 percent would go for special programs such as special education, school safety summer school; 11 percent would go for athletics and activities; 11 percent would go for maintenance; and the remaining 8 percent would go for transportation.
The Lakewood School District proposal is for $2.90 per $1,000 for each of the two years. That translates to $522 a year on a $180,000 home.
The $2.90 rate is the same as the previous levy, which expires in December. It would raise $3.01 million the first year and $3.07 million the following year.
Tina Ross, co-chairwoman of the citizens’ committee promoting the levy, said she often sees the importance of the levy to the school district.
As a classroom volunteer, she sees it in the extra help struggling students receive. As a mother of a third-grader, she sees it in the new math book her daughter brings home. As a former aerospace industry worker, she sees the need for improving technology in the schools so students have skills when they enter the workforce.
Among other things, levy money helps pay for instructional staff, supplies and training, technology, transportation and extracurricular activities. The levy money would also provide funds for more textbooks and materials, more teacher training and new technology, and two new buses.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455
or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
Proposed levy rate: $2.22 per $1,000 for 2003; $2.34 per $1,000 in 2004.
Cost on $180,000 home: $400 in 2003; $421 for 2004.
Amount raised: $6.4 million for 2003; $7.13 million for 2004.
Proposed levy rate: $2.90 per $1,000 for 2003 and 2004.
Cost on $180,000 home: $522 in 2003; $522 in 2004.
Amount raised: $3.01 million in 2003; $3.07 million in 2004.
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