To the Editor:
The Raymond Education Association would like to ask the voters in the Raymond School District to support the proposed 2016 Replacement Levy that is being placed on the ballot. This proposed levy is not a request to approve a new tax. It is a request to continue the existing support that we already receive.
As many people know, school levies are of limited duration. Our current levy will expire on December 31, 2016. This existing levy is currently costing taxpayers $424 yearly if their property is valued at $100,000. The proposed replacement levy is estimated at $414 yearly.
These levies help to ensure that Raymond students (and students in more than 90% of the state's communities) continue to receive educational programs and benefits that are not funded through state "basic education" money. Currently, state basic education funding only covers about 81% of our current budget. The additional levy funds help provide things like individual student help, various extracurricular activities, and operating costs such transportation or utilities.
Passing the levy provides our district with a major extra financial benefit. The state of Washington adds matching funds to districts that pass local levies. Districts that don't pass levies receive no matching money. Currently our budget is about 81% basic education money, 11% local levy money, and 8% matching money.
One of the best things about working in this district is the long history of support that we have received from our community. We hope you'll continue to show our students your commitment to helping them reach their potential by supporting the replacement levy. Please vote yes on the levy.
Thank you,
Ronalda Wintrip
President REA