Latest request is for a lower levy tax rate than voters rejected in Feb. 8 special election
At tonight’s (February 15, 2022) meeting, the Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors approved a replacement levy resolution for the April 26, 2022, special election ballot. Voters within the district’s boundaries will be asked to vote on a replacement educational programs and operation levy that will lower the overall current local school district tax rate.
Although the state of Washington has taken on more responsibility for paying for basic education, there are still funding gaps. Operations levy funds account for approximately 11 percent of Evergreen Public Schools overall budget or $38.6 million in 2022, and fund critical programs and services, including athletics, academics and health and safety.
The state allows school districts to ask for locally-voted levies to cover programs either partially, or not funded at all, by the state. Evergreen is asking for a three-year replacement levy at $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value for all three years, which is the same as the current levy tax rate. When coupled with the existing school-approved bond measure and Technology Levy, this will lower the current local school tax rate from $3.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value to a projected $3.68 in 2023, $3.48 in 2024 and $3.48 in 2025 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
This is a significantly lower levy tax rate than what was proposed on the February ballot, which was $1.92 per $1,000 of assessed value the first year and $2.12 the second and third years.
“We understand that the last few years have been tough on families, therefore we adjusted our levy tax rate to lessen the financial impact,” said Board President Ginny Gronwoldt. “This proposed levy rate will still force us to make some tough budget decisions, but the Board feels this is the right decision to make for our students and citizens, and we are hopeful that our community will agree. This is not the time to make significant cuts to student programs. This levy would allow Evergreen to continue to fund the educational opportunities that students have grown to rely on to fuel their success, in and out of the classroom. Evergreen Public Schools already has one of the lowest administrative and central office costs in the state and among peer districts. Our new and replacement schools, authorized by the 2018 bond measure, continue to be completed on-time and under budget. Just like we have done throughout the pandemic, the district will use these essential levy dollars to fund programs that directly impact and enhance our students educational experience.”
As required by Washington state, the proposed three-year levy must be designated and reported to the state to be spent in non-basic education categories and directed at maintenance and operations activities. If passed, levy dollars will ensure the continuation of health and safety programs such as additional school nurses, counseling and social-emotional supports and services, safety and security staff, teachers, athletics, performing arts programs, including band, choir, orchestra and theater programs, productions and performances.
In 2018, Evergreen voters passed a $695 million capital facilities bond to replace, rebuild and repair all schools in the district. This is resulting in the replacement of seven elementary schools, one middle school, two high schools and two special purpose schools. The 2018 Bond funds can not be used for daily maintenance and operations.
Additional information on the replacement levy will be available on the Evergreen Public Schools web site (www.evergreenps.org).
Information provided by Evergreen School District.
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