Submitted by White River School District No. 416
Proposition No. 1
SCHOOL 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 maintenance and operation expenses:

all as provided in District Resolution #99-20?

Explanatory Statement: White River School District is requesting voters to approve a two-year maintenance and operations levy proposition to replace the existing levy which will expire at the end of this calendar year. This proposition authorizes the collection of taxes in 2001 and 2002 to pay for a portion of the general fund operations of the school district. The levies would pay for existing programs throughout the District that are not fully funded by the state and are deemed to be essential by the school board. Specifically, the levy dollars would pay a portion of the funds needed to employ teachers, secretaries, classroom assistants, custodians, playground supervisors and security personnel. The levy funds would also support the purchase of instructional materials and supplies as well as computer software and audio-visual equipment. In addition, the levy funds would pay a portion of the costs of a variety of district programs including transportation and food services, counseling and nursing services, drug and alcohol programs, athletic and music programs, outdoor education, cultural arts and community activities programs. The fixed dollar amounts to be collected in each of the two calendar years beginning in 2001 will be obtained by an annual tax levy rate of approximately $3.59 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Statement For:
At the end of this year, the previous Maintenance and Operations Levy will expire. The M&O Levies support programs not funded by the state. These programs include extra teachers for expanding classroom sizes, teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, instructional materials, transportation, and food services just to name a few.
These are programs that benefit all our children in the district. The continuation of these services will cost you and I less than previous levies we have supported. Please help maintain excellence in the educational opportunities for our children, vote Yes on March 14th.

Statement prepared by : Michelle Peckham

Statement Against:
No statement was submitted against this issue.

This space is available each election for citizens and/or committees opposing measures to publish a
"Statement Against."
For information, contact the Pierce County Auditor's Office at (253) 798-7430.

Proposition No. 2
SCHOOL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS - $48,500,000

Official Ballot Title: To acquire land and build a new high school, to upgrade all existing school buildings, for energy conservation and technology improvements to school facilities, and for other capital improvements, shall White River School District issue $48,500,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum term of 20 years, and shall annual property tax levies in excess of regular tax levies be authorized to repay such bonds, all as provided in District Resolution #99-19?

Explanatory Statement: White River School District is requesting voters to approve a proposed capital improvements bond measure. Passage of this measure would allow for site acquisition, construction and the equipping of a new high school to accommodate 1,600 students. The bond measure would also provide for major capital facilities upgrades including the conversion of White River High School to a middle school and the conversion of White River Middle School to an elementary school. Also included in the bond measure are capital facilities upgrades at Wilkeson, Elk Ridge, Foothills, Mountain Meadow and Wickersham elementary schools. In addition, the bond measure would provide for the acquisition of a 20-acre school site, the construction of a maintenance facility, energy conservation improvements at three schools, technology improvements, acquisition of portable classrooms, improvements to Sheets Field and handicapped accessibility improvements at all sites. Bonds totaling $48.5 million would be issued and be repaid from annual tax levies over 16 years at an estimated rate of $1.58 per $1,000 of assessed value. Approval of this bond measure will entitle the District to receive approximately $15.5 million from other sources to pay a portion of the costs of the projects listed above.

Statement For:
Dear Friends and Neighbors in the White River School District:
As you are aware our community has experienced a growth surge in recent years, especially in families with school age children. With schools already at their maximum capacities and even greater growth projected, the quality of education will become increasingly compromised.
On March 14th Proposition 2, the Capital Bond measure, will go before the voters of our community. The Bond will be used for building a new White River High School. This will allow the existing high school to be converted to the new White River Middle School campus. The middle school will become a much needed elementary school site. In addition, the Bond will support desperately needed upgrades to our current elementary schools.
Only with your support can we ensure quality education and give our children the opportunities they will need for building our future. Vote Yes March 14th.

Statement prepared by : Michelle Peckham

Statement Against:
No statement was submitted against this issue.

This space is available each election for citizens and/or committees opposing measures to publish a "Statement Against." For information, contact the Pierce County Auditor's Office at (253) 798-7430.

"The Elections Department is not responsible for the factual or grammatical accuracy of for and against statements.
These statements are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked by any official governmental agency."

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