The Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy approved by the board would replace the current levy that expires at the end of 2022
Ridgefield Schools District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday night (May 10) to put a replacement levy on the Aug. 2 primary and special election ballot. The Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy approved by the board is not a new tax. It replaces the current levy that expires at the end of 2022.
A release from the Ridgefield School District stated: “the majority of what the levy pays for is people. People are key to providing a quality education and getting students the support they need in academics. The district uses levy funds to pay for expenses in excess of state funding such as professional development for teachers, curriculum, technology, classroom support (additional teachers and teacher assistants), nursing services, extra-curricular activities (athletics), community education, and early childhood education activities.’’
“The maintenance and operations levy is vital to the successful operation of Ridgefield schools,” said Superintendent Nathan McCann. “Renewing our current levy funding is a community investment that ensures we can continue delivering the comprehensive, high-quality education our students and families have come to rely upon from the district.”
The current levy is funded by a tax rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. If approved by a simple majority of voters (50 percent + 1 vote), levy funding will be renewed at this same rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
According to the news release provided by Ridgefield Public Schools, the district has the second-lowest school property tax rate of all K-12 districts in Clark County. “While other districts rely on multiple levies to fund technology, transportation, capital projects and educational programs, Ridgefield funds all these elements from a single levy,’’ the release stated. “Across Washington, nearly all of the 295 districts rely on levy money to provide important student programs and services.’’
Information provided by Ridgefield School District.
