While some may have spent spring break relaxing, many staff members in the Edmonds School District spent time considering what’s just around the corner: the May 18 special election.
Up for a vote this year is a $44 million education facilities and technology levy, approved for the ballot by the school board March 9.
This year’s proposed levy resembles those that made it onto the ballot but were defeated by voters in 2002 and 2003. But this one is a watered-down version of the earlier plans, district officials said.
Here is what will be presented to voters this time around.
• $20 million would go to classroom technology, including increasing Internet access speed by 10 times over the current system. A new computer and projector also would be purchased for every classroom in the district and hooked up to site-based printers. At least one mobile learning lab including 15 wireless laptops would be put in each school for student use, and specific hardware and software would be purchased for most classrooms. A district-wide reporting system would be installed to allow parents, students and teachers to view individual student grades and progress portfolios on line.
• $10 million would go towards earthquake safety improvements on most schools that are more than 10 years old. The improvements include adding external bracing to existing structures.
• $3.5 million would go towards preliminary designs for rebuilding Lynnwood and Scriber Lake high schools.
• $8.5 million would go towards improvements to athletics fields and playgrounds, including drainage systems and fencing in some areas.
• $1 million would go towards bringing the district’s science labs up to code and improving safety, including installing new plumbing for hands-free eyewash stations.
• $1 million would go towards a partnership program between the district and local officials to help further funding of jointly-used facilities.
If the levy is approved, taxpayers would face an estimated increase in 68 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for four years. For a $200,000 home, that would mean $136 per year, or an $11.33 a month increase in property tax.
District officials say the needs that would be addressed by passing this levy are urgent.
“Our needs have only gotten greater,” said Marla Miller, district executive director of finance and operations, referring to when the levy was first proposed in 2002.
District spokesperson Debbie Jakala added, “We’ve been doing a great job with grants and donations, but it’s not enough and it’s just not equitable.”
For more information, contact Debbie Jakala at 425-670-7044 or go to www.edmonds.wednet.edu.
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