On May 18, 2005 Issaquah School
Board of Directors accepted recommendations for items to consider for next
year’s February school finance election.
Complete details
about the committee’s research, their recommendations, their final report, and tax
implications are on the district website at www.issaquah.wednet.edu. Click
on “In the Spotlight” and then on “2006 bond and levy plans.”
Before the board makes its decision,
they welcome public comments and questions and encourage you to take advantage
of any of the following methods of sharing your best
thoughts:
·
Via a special e-mail box on the district website at
www.issaquah.wednet.edu.
Click on “In the Spotlight” and then on “2006
·
During public comment sessions at board meetings on
June 8, 22, and 29. All meetings are at the
Brief
background:
In February 2005, the board
chartered the
1.
Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy – to
replace M&O expiring in 2007, local funding equal to 18.5% of the district’s
operating budget.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
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.