LSSD Levies - Maintenance & Technology

Posted by James Monroe 
 
Our speakers at the regular meeting, October 30, 2009 were Dr. Dave Burgess, Lake Stevens School District Superintendent, Arlene Hulten, Director of Communications and Keith Neilson, Chairman of the Citizens Levy Committee. They presented information about the proposed Replacement Maintenance & Operations Levy and the Technology Levy that will be sent to the voters in the school district next February.

The proposed four-year Maintenance and Operations levy is a replacement levy for the current levy which expires in 2010. This levy provides for 82% of teacher salaries, 11% student transportation, 4% supports student athletics and activities, 1% technology licensing, 1% additional cost of maintenance of schools and facilities and , 1% pays for expenses and upkeep of the pool and community services.

In 2006 voters approved a levy at an estimated cost of $3.14 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The proposed levy is asking for an estimated cost of $2.87 per thousand. This means that for a $200,000 home, an owner would pay $574 annually. Typically, the rate fluctuates by a few cents over the course of four years.

The proposed Technology Levy is also slated for four years and will provide for the standardization of equipment in all classrooms, staff training for integrated teaching, a five-year computer replacement schedule, updated software and equipment, fiber optic technology and replacement of the distict-wide telephone system.

A $1.5 miliion dollar levy per year is estimated to cost 36 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. So, the same $200,000 property would pay $72 for this levy.

Keep in mind that students will need to be successful in tomorrow's world and work environment. Today they must have the tools that will give them the necessary skills.

Click here to contact Keith about the campaign.

As a postscript, Dr. Burgess pointed out that Lake Stevens High School has the highest on-time graduation rate of any high school in Snohomish County. The school is a full ten percentage points above the Washington State average. Dr. Burgess said that all of us should be proud of this accomplishement.