On February 12, 2019, the Napavine School District will be going out to its voters for a Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy. Passage of the levy would assist Napavine School District in funding educational progams and operations not funded by the State of Washington, including, but not limited to: maintaining low class sizes, nurse time, after school enrichment activities, after school tutoring programs, middle and high school athletic activities programs, transportation outside of the basic school day, curriculum replacement, technology upgrades and enhancements, maintenance and operations outside of basic education funding, special education programs not funded through basic education, security and emergency preparedness, and much more.
The proposed three-year local levy is not a new tax, it will not fully replace but partially replace the District's current local levy approved by the voters in 2016, which expires at the end of 2019. The current local levy was approved at the tax rate of $2.40 per $1,000 of assessed value. The replacement local levy is at a lower tax rate of an estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. This would be an annual reduction of approximately $180 for a voter with an assessed property value at $250,000. Along with a lowered tax rate for the replacement levy, Napavine School District has also paid off its bond from 1999, in January 2019, that further decreases taxes for its voters by removing the bond rate of $0.84/$1000 of assessed value.
With the passage of the replacement levy, Napavine School District would be eligible for funds from the state called Local Effort Assistance in the amount of approximately $640/student or $512,000 each year. If the levy does not pass, Napavine School District would not receive this state funding. This funding also helps to maintain low class sizes, Extra Curricular Activities, MS & HS Athletics, and classified staff support such as a full time nurse position. The Educational Programs and Operations Levy has been supported by the voters continuously since 2005. This replacement levy will continue to provide essential educational programs, support staff, and equitable opportunities for all students.
Please remember to vote in the special election by February 12, 2019. For more information contact Geoff Parks, Superintendent, or go to www.napavineschools.org/levy-information.