Every 3-4 years school districts come to the voters and taxpayers and ask for a “renewal” levy. They ask for more money and say this new levy isn’t really new but rather a “renewal” of the expiring levy. They give you an estimate of the amount you will pay per $1,000 of assessed property value. In many cases the “renewal levy” has a lower rate per $1,000 than the expiring levy. They emphasize the “renewal” and the “lower rate”, implying it is just a continuation of the old levy and your taxes will barely go up. What’s the truth? The only way to discuss this is by using a specific real-world example. The Washougal school district asked for approval of two (2) levies in February (that … [Read more...]
House Bill 1353 – Reducing school bond approval from 60% to 50% +1: A Constitutional Amendment
Back in 2007 the legislature reduced the approval requirement for levy's to 50% +1 from the historical 50% supermajority. The change was made at the request of school districts around the state who complained levy's failed too often and needed to be easier to pass. Left in place was the requirement that capital bonds require a 60% approval to pass. Fast forward to 2023. A new House Bill #1353 attempts to reduce the 60% to 50% plus one. Why? Because school districts across the state complain it's too hard to get voter approval so they need a lower threshold to get bonds passed. Teachers unions want the newest and best facilities. Votes who support schools no matter the cost want easier … [Read more...]
Vancouver School District Levy – Community Member thoughts
Few people really understand what goes on behind the scenes regarding levy approvals. Today a community member shares the results of their investigation and research. Steps: School board, in conjunction with the Superintendent, establishes the need for, amount of and duration of a levy. (These are fixed amounts of money spread over 3-4 years...in many cases) A resolution is written providing the details in preparation for filing with the Elections department The district submits their plan to the State Superintendent of Schools for review and approval Here is the actual levy submission from the Van SD: Vancouver_Public_Schools_Pre-Ballot_Approval 20223 It seems most … [Read more...]
Do school districts inhibit “Con” positions on bonds and levies?
We bring you an "Op-Ed" by a reader who shares their thoughts on the process school districts go through to find people to write the "Pro" and "Con" positions on bonds and levy's. WA school districts are supposed to be teaching about constitutional republics and their associated checks and balances. School districts should be encouraging a lively debate on political issues including their own tax measures that are on the ballot. But are they? Almost all school districts, with measures on the Feb 2023 ballot across the state, may be failing to practice what they are supposed to be preaching and teaching. By state statute, school districts are supposed to find pro … [Read more...]
Ridgefield Bond – How many times do voters need to say NO?
Background - If you look at the graphic image on the left you will note that the bond program date is 2017. But wait...it's April of 2022. Why is the date wrong? It's not. Ridgefield has been requesting various capital bonds since 2017. Some they've won and others they've lost. This current attempt is a repeat of the failed February 2022 bond. Prior to that another attempt was made and failed. So what you ask? As the guest writer points out in todays article it appears the Ridgefield School Board and district leadership doesn't hear the public's answer. Ridgefield School District Leaders Need To Start Listening To Parents & Voters When the Ridgefield School District (RSD) met up … [Read more...]
Ridgefield School District – Capital Bond February 2022
Let's start off by sharing the information in the voters pamphlet. But before we do lets remind you that this current bond follows the last try in 2020...which failed (see the graphic to the left) Measure Text General Obligation Bonds - $62,565,000 The Board of Directors of Ridgefield School District No. 122 approved Resolution No. 2021-2022-003 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to construct and equip a new elementary school and 8-plex classroom building at the new school site, and a new vocational and general education building at Ridgefield High School, by issuing $62,565,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 21 … [Read more...]
Historic change in special elections and levies
The week of April 26th 2021 was historic. It was the last levy that didn’t require a voter pamphlet. Until now school districts (and other entities) could run special elections but were NOT required to provide pro and con statements in writing with the ballot. With this change all special elections will require a written statement on yes and no votes. This change will increase the cost of a special election due to the voter pamphlet requirement. It will also cause election departments to search out people to write the pro and con statements. Until now it’s sometimes been hard to find people to write the No position. Going forward if someone in the local boundaries won’t write the No … [Read more...]
Per Pupil Expenditures (PPE) – the true cost of K-12 education in Washington State
There is a national organization called NCES – National Center for Education Statistics (https://nces.ed.gov) that tracks education data across the United States. They have a recommended method for identifying the true cost of K-12 education...and the State of Washington (OSPI) does NOT conform to that recommended standard. Specifically, NCES says there are four (4) cost factors in determining what the true cost of educating a student in public schools is: State contributions to a school district Local levy funds Local capital bonds Debt service costs Washington State (OSPI) only includes state contributions and local levies. They ignore capital bond and … [Read more...]
Washington State levy and bond data
If you love data and facts please add this site to your "must have" sites: http://www.schooldataproject.com This website was created by Jeff Heckathorn. Jeff has a passion for data and has been spending huge amounts of time gathering and dissecting data regarding Washington State school levys and bonds. We've been corresponding for months on this and today we bring to you some of the materials he has shared. Feel free to go straight to his site. We will provide updates and articles as we get them. You'll find information about those that passed and those that failed in February 2021 "special elections". This article will be updated as new information becomes available. Here is … [Read more...]
Battle Ground Levy – Truth or Lie?
Battle Ground school district has the lowest school taxes in Clark County. Is that the “truth”? The Battle Ground school district emailed out their most recent newsletter on Thursday February 13th (here: https://www.battlegroundps.org/taxes/) The title header of the email? Battle Ground has lowest school taxes in Clark County, receives less funding than voters approved Is that the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me….? The file in this attachment was emailed to each of the BG Directors on Feb 21st: Ltr_BGSB_Directors_Feb_21_2020_Levy_Claims They (School Board and District) claim BGSD has the lowest school taxes in Clark County and that the … [Read more...]