School Board sends levies to voters
October 28, 2009
By Laura Geggel
Snoqualmie Valley School Board members voted to put two, four-year levy measures before voters Feb. 9. The two replacement measures — a $9.9 million technology levy and a $57.5 million maintenance-and-operations levy — would sustain funding in those areas through 2014.The school board approved the levies at their maximum amount of 24.83 percent. Superintendent Joel Aune defended using the maximum lid, saying that Snoqualmie Valley School District receives less money from the state than most districts — out of 295 districts, Snoqualmie Valley is 290. It also has a lower levy lid than some neighboring districts. Issaquah can levy up to 24.97 percent and Mercer Island can levy up to 33.67 percent.
If approved, voters would increase taxes they approved for the district from the 2006 levy package for another four years. In 2006, the voters approved a $4 million technology levy and a $34.9 million maintenance-and-operations levy.
“Levies are a vital and significant portion of our revenues,” Aune said at the board meeting.
For at least the last 10 years, local levies have remained about 18 percent of the general operating fund.
“In order for our school district to be competitive with our neighboring school districts in terms of programming we can give to the kids, we need to have these resources,” Aune said.
The District Technical Advisory Committee worked for about eight months before recommending a plan to the school board.
About 57 percent of the $9.9 million technology levy would pay for new computers and other technologies like ActivBoards and improve technology communications and safety systems. About 43 percent of the levy would train staff to help them become comfortable with technology in their classrooms.
If passed, the new technology levy would provide $422 per student, on par for other district’s 2010 technology levies. In 2008, Mercer Island voters approved a $6.7 million technology levy, providing $426 per student.
The $57.5 million maintenance-and-operations levy would pay for the sixth period at Mount Si High School.
The state only pays for five periods, but students need six periods per semester to graduate and be competitive in applying to colleges.
The taxpayer-supported maintenance levy also pays for a significant portion of school support staff, some course offerings at Mount Si, staff training, the entire cost of activity programs, such as music, drama, debate and part of athletics.
In addition, the maintenance levy helps pay for special education, utilities, school security, supplies and materials, and some salary enhancements and staff benefits.
School board members Marci Busby, Caroline Loudenback, Rudy Edwards and Craig Husa approved the resolution. School board member Dan Popp was absent.
Ballots will be mailed Jan. 22 for the Feb. 9 vote. To pass, the levies would need a simple majority.
Reporter Laura Geggel: 392-6434 ext. 221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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heres what I say- no- not enough information and not enough time to be put before the voters- they have tried this before and by saying no things still worked out and showed us all they need to tighten their shoestrings like the rest of have had no choice but to do so. They will be back again with a better offering so do not give in to the levy yet.. All will be well.