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Proposition No. 1
Submitted by White River School District No. 416
WHITE RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT MAINTENANCE
AND OPERATIONS LEVY
Official Ballot Title:
To meet the educational needs of students in White River School District No. 416, shall the District levy the following taxes in addition to regular tax levies and in place of an expiring levy, upon all taxable property within the District, for support of the District’s General Fund educational program and operation expenses:
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Collection Year
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Approximate Levy
Rate per $1,000
Assessed Value
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Levy Amount
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1999
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$4.06
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$3,700,000
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2000
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$4.08
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$3,900,000
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all as specified in District Resolution No.98-01?
Explanatory Statement:
White River School District is requesting to renew local support for the maintenance and operations replacement levy in the amount of $3.7 million for the 1999 collection and $3.9 million for the 2000 collection. The rate per thousand will be $4.06 in 1999 and $4.08 in 2000.
The maintenance and operations levy provides approximately 15% of the district’s operating budget. These local dollars support lower class sizes and help fund classroom aides, nurses, counselors, textbooks, classroom supplies, the Community Activities Program, computer software, utilities, maintenance, and substitutes. In addition, the levy helps support transportation of students to and from school and provides dollars to support the school lunch program. Also, the local levy helps provide funding for coaches and transportation for co-curricular and extracurricular activities including outdoor education, secondary sports programs, music, and drama.
Statement For:
With strong community support, much has been accomplished within the White River School District to build an educational environment that affords all students an equal opportunity to successfully prepare for the challenges of the future.
However, as in the past, monies received from the State account for only 85% of the total funds necessary to adequately provide for the educational needs of our children. We, the voters of the White River School District, must make up the difference. The only means available to us is to replace the expiring levy with a new one.
Continuation of the present funding level will help replace worn and outdated teaching tools, maintain smaller class sizes, and provide needed support staff. Adequate funds are also needed for the safe transportation of our children, maintenance of existing facilities, and support for other valuable student activities such as athletics, cultural arts, music, and outdoor education.
Please note the following as you ponder your vote: (1) This levy is a replacement of an expiring tax and will not increase your existing tax rate. (2) 100% of your school levy money is returned to the White River School District. (3) Schools are an important part of our community, and everyone is encouraged to become involved in school funding issues.
Your yes vote on April 28th is a vote for our children, our community, and our future.
Statement prepared by : Ted Olson and Key Osborne, White River School District Maintenance and Operations Levy Committee
Statement Against:
Tradition Matters
Traditionally, the levy amount is the same for both years. The request for a higher amount in the second year breaks that tradition. The District will ask for as much money as they think they can get, as often as they can get it. They can always figure out a way to spend it. The request should be $3,700,000 for each year. Vote No because tradition matters.
Cost Matters
The levy is being increased about 10% in the first year and an additional 5% in the second year. That is a 15% increase in 2 years, which is much greater than inflation. A 15% increase is excessive. A 10% increase should sufficiently cover inflation. Vote No because cost matters.
Trust Matters
The District has not built the transportation center. Three years ago, they were urged to build the transportation center. They chose to sit on the money, as they have for seven years, and break trust with the voters. Although this was bond money and not levy, it is still a matter of trust. If you give them more money, it will only encourage this irresponsible behavior. Vote No because trust matters.
What’s Best For Kids
Is more money what’s best for kids, all the time, every time? These taxes have a real impact on families and the community. Vote No because that is what’s best for kids.
Please join me, a former White River school board member, in voting no to higher tax rates.
Statement prepared by : James E. Findley & Richard Bedwell
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