Southwest Washington Education (K-12)

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Local Levy’s in Southwest Washington State – February 2017

2017 brings us local school district levy’s on the ballot in February. In this story we’ll provide background information on what levy’s are, how they are used and what they mean to the districts (specific to Washington State). We’ll also list each of the proposed levy’s by district and summarize what they are asking for and share our thoughts for your consideration. In the end YOU will be the one to decide what to support based on your views and values.

What is a levy?  It’s generally called a Maintenance and Operations Levy (M&O). The money is used to pay for things (people and services) that are NOT covered by the State. Most of the money is used to pay for extra personnel (85-90% of the total levy). It’s a fixed amount each year regardless of property value changes. On your tax statement you see it listed as an amount per $1,000 of assessed value.

Are levy’s necessary?    To the extent that the local tax payers believe they need more people or services than funded by the State then yes. One question to ask is how many extra people a district has, what the costs are and whether they can justify the impact and value.

What if an M&O levy fails? Will the State take over the district?   The levy is for EXTRA’s not essentials. The work load on those people who are paid for by the State would increase. The failure of a levy would NOT mean the State takes over. When a district makes that claim they are simply not being truthful. If the February levy fails the School Board will come back to the public in April and ask again. They can ask for the same amount or they can increase or decrease it. If the April levy fails they must wait till the following February as ask again. That would mean they would start the next school year using State furnished money only.

Are there different types of M&O levy’s?  Sort of… In recent years some districts have ADDED a new type of levy called a “Technology Levy”. In this case they ask for a 2nd levy for computers and related. So when you look at your local levy’s make sure you understand whether it’s one or two and what the total impact is.

Battle Ground

  • Battle Ground School District No. 119 Resolution No. P-16, concerning the replacement of an expiring educational programs, maintenance and operation levy
  • 13,477 students at the close of the 2015/2016 school year
  • The increase in the number of students in the past 5 years has been ~135 or an average of +27 per year. But wait…as of September 2016 (starting the new school year) the enrollment is DOWN!
  • Previous levy was $103.3 million which covered an average of 13,200 students = $1,956 per student per year
  • The proposed levy is $136.54 million which, using historic growth figures, would cover 13,475 students = $2,533 per student per year which represents a 29.49% increase!
  • Proposed annual levy amounts: 2018 = $31,680,000   2019 = $33,260,000   2020 = $34,930,000   2021 = $36,670,000
  • The 2017 levy year raised $27.25 million. So, the increase 2017-2018 = 16.25% increase  2018-2019 = 4.98%   2019-2020 = 5.02% and 2020-2021 = 4.98%
  • The year over year increase in the proposed budget over the previous budget = +$577/student = 29.49% increase
  • Stepping from $103.3 million to $136.54 represents a 32.17% increase. The average increase over the previous 4 year budget = 8.04% per year
  • We prepared a summary of our top 10 concerns: 2017_BGSD_Levy_Fact_Sheet
  • Analysis: The increase bears no relationship to cost increases or plans for use of funds. It’s simply unacceptable. We suggest a NO vote and tell them to reduce the ask. This increase dwarfs all other districts running an M&O levy…even those running and M&O PLUS a Technology Levy. By voting NO! you tell the board to come back the next time with a lower number (we suggest a 3% increase which is in line with other districts in SWW)

Camas

Washougal

Woodland

  • Woodland School District No. 404 Resolution No. 16-10, concerning a replacement educational maintenance & operations levy
  • The M&O levy is for three (3) years: 2018: $4.5 million; 2019: $4.75 million and 2020: $5 million.
  • Total M&O for three (3) years = $14.25 million = $4.75 million average per year
  • Student count as of the end of the 2015/2016 school year = 2,323
  • Year over year increase in the proposed budget = 5.35%
  • Total spend $4.75 million/2,323 students = $2,044 per student per year
  • Analysis: The 5%+ increase per year in the proposed levy makes it higher than some. If the residents of the district aren’t earning at least a 6% annual increase in net income they will slip behind and go in the hole financially.

In the end it’s YOU who decides whether to vote Yes or NO. If the levy fails tell the school board in your district what you are willing to accept. Tell them to make that change in their April ask. An remember that if the levy fails the world doesn’t fall apart. It just means the district needs to work with the money supplied by the State. Chicken Little will live.

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