Issaquah's three levies on the February 2010 ballot
The Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Levy is the only locally approved ballot measure that directly pays for basic general classroom and operational needs such as special education, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and staff salaries. If renewed, the M&O Levy will allow the District to collect its full statutory authority—24.97 percent of its total federal and state funding—which amounts to between $35 million and $42 million per year from 2011 to 2014. Put in perspective, the M&O levy provides 19¢ of every classroom dollar. That is equivalent to 360 classroom teachers or 425 classified positions (custodians, bus drivers, educational assistants, etc). Broken down, that equals
12 elementary teachers and
2 classified staff members at each elementary,
17 teachers and
3 classified staff members at each middle school, AND
22 teachers and
4 classified staff members at each high school.
If renewed, the School Bus Levy will provide $1.7 million in 2011 to purchase 41 buses to enable the District’s fleet to run as safely, cleanly, and efficiently as possible. The levy will allow the District to collect state funding to offset the cost of bus purchases, ensure alignment with state safety standards, and provide the most efficient buses, allowing the District to preserve more operational dollars for the classroom.
The Capital Levy includes two components: educational technology and critical repairs for each school District-wide. If renewed, the District will collect $32.9 million for technology and $5.6 million for critical repairs over the life of the levy. For technology, these dollars will fund replacement of aging computers, printers, servers, and document cameras; staff training; development of online classes/educational opportunities; school tech specialists; ACTIV Boards; implementation of wireless Internet; safety and efficiency software for school bus operations; and continued upgrades to District websites, emergency alert systems, and other e-communications. For critical repairs, the Capital Levy includes projects such as replacement of failing kitchen equipment, maintenance of heating and cooling systems, and roof and structural repairs.
Fast facts
- Stability: Over the next four years, the average homeowner will contribute the same amount or fewer tax dollars to local schools than he/she currently does if all three levies are renewed.
- Financial management: The Issaquah School District has the highest bond rating of any public school district in Washington State on Moody’s scale and has received exemplary audit reports for seven consecutive years.
- Levies and bonds: Washington ranks 43 out of 50 states in per-pupil education funding, according to “Education Week;” Issaquah ranks 271 out of 295 Washington school districts in per-pupil education funding. A levy or bond measure is the one funding mechanism provided by law that enables the local community to directly invest in the quality of its schools to overcome these shortfalls.
Background information and Levy Development Committee work
Go to the
February 2010 Levy background pages for information about the levy development process and the Levy Development Committee.
Questions?
Contact
Executive Director of Communications Sara Niegowski,(425) 837.7004.