Election set for February 7, 2006

Voters will decide four ballot issues on February 7, 2006. Each of the four ballot items has been reviewed and recommended by a 36-member community citizen

What the election issues mean to each high school attendance area:
Issaquah High School
Liberty High School
Skyline High School

group who started their research process in February 2005. The committee analyzed district enrollment history and projections, toured schools, and visited with staff in the schools. They studied construction costs and options, the project requests submitted by schools, and evaluated priorities.

The committee believes that together, the four issues are strategic elements in a long range plan to manage growth and maintain the quality of education in Issaquah schools.

The Issaquah Board of Directors accepted the Bond and Levy Scope Committee reports and recommendations on October 12, 2005.

BOND OR LEVY QUESTIONS? Send an e-mail.

School funding basics: Where the money comes from and how it is used
The money to operate schools, pay salaries, buy instructional materials, conduct professional development, transport students, build schools, repair or buy equipment comes from:

State Funds (69¢ of each general fund $)
Federal Funds (4¢ of each general fund $)
Fees, grants, tuition (8¢ of each general fund $)
Local voter-approved funds (19¢ of each general fund $)

Technology, school construction, and most of the cost of new school buses are not part of the general fund and are paid for with money local voters must approve. Therefore, in February, the Issaquah School District will place 4 finance ballot issues before voters.

It is projected that homeowners in 2006 will pay $3.92 per $1000 in existing local school taxes. In 2007, if all four issues pass, the rate is projected at $3.97. That 5 cent increase on a $500,000 home is a $25 increase from 2006 to 2007.

Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy – to replace M&O expiring December 31, 2006, local funding equal to 19% of the district’s operating budget.
School Bus Levy – funding to buy 52 school buses over the next four years. These new buses will replace older, less efficient buses that are no longer earning depreciation funding from the state. Because more students are moving into the district, more school buses are needed to transport them to and from school.
Capital Levy that covers two district needs:

Funding to maintain technology now used and technology enhancements ensuring that classrooms have equipment that boosts student learning and that district operations are efficient.
Funding for school renovations and critical repairs that improve student health, safety, and welfare, maintain schools and playfields for community use, and increase energy efficiency.

Capital bond to add classroom space for additional students and to maintain equity across the district, rebuild two aging and inefficient buildings, buy land and fund construction of a fifth middle school to reduce overcrowding at the existing four middle schools, buy land on the plateau for a 15th elementary school and buy land in the Liberty High attendance area that could site a new elementary school and middle school in that growing section of the District.

Committee links
Bond and Levy Scope Committee meeting schedule
Bond and Levy Scope Committee roster
Bond and Levy Scope Committee contact information
Bond and Levy Scope Committee Open Public Meeting Act

News releases
Building `green' moves into the mainstream (12/11/05)
School Board reconvenes bond committee again (9/29/05)
New schools increasingly upscale, but also pricey (9/11/05)
Unexpectedly high inflation delays plans for education bond and levy (7/20/05)
Two district committees reconvene in late July and August (7/18/05)
Converting Highlands space could create 700 new homes (7/6/05)
School bond, levy approval delayed (7/6/05)
Solution sought for Issaquah district growth (6/30/05)
School district mulls $17 million technology levy (6/15/05)
Issaquah High: remodel or start over? (6/8/05)
$300 million for Issaquah schools? (6/1/05)
Board names Bond and Levy Scope Committee members (2/10/05)
Committee to plan future bond and levy elections authorized (1/13/05)

Committee meetings
The Bond and Levy Scope Committee met most recently on the following dates at the following locations:

Sept 7 6:45pm – Administration Bldg. Board Room
August 31st 6:45pm – Issaquah High School Library
August 24th 6:45pm – Issaquah High School Library
August 17th 6:45pm – Administration Bldg. Board Room

Round 2 Agendas	Round 2 Minutes
10-5-05 9-7-05 8-31-05 8-24-05 8-17-05	10-5-05 10-4-05 bus tour comments 10-4-05 9-20-05 9-7-05 8-31-05 8-24-05 8-17-05

Round 1 Agendas	Round 1 Minutes
5-18-05 Report to Board 5-12-05 5-3-05 4-28-05 4-26-05 bus tour 4-21-05 4-19-05 bus tour 4-7-05 3-31-05 3-24-05 bus tour 3-17-05 3-10-05 3-3-05 2-16-05	5-18-05 Report to Board 5-12-05 5-10-05 bus tour 5-3-05 4-28-05 4-26-05 bus tour 4-21-05 4-19-05 bus tour 4-7-05 3-31-05 3-24-05 bus tour 3-17-05 3-10-05 3-3-05 2-16-05