Educational Programs & Operations Levy and Technology Levy Information

On February 9, 2010 we will be asking voters to cast a vote on two levies: an Educational Program and Operations Levy and a Technology Levy.  We have put this page together to help inform our taxpayers why we are asking for these two levies, what they each cost, and how the money provided would be used.  For further questions/information please contact Kari Harris, Fife School District Business Manager, at (253) 517-1000 or kharris@fife.k12.wa.us.

• Message From Dr. McCammon

• Educational Program and Operations Levy Information

• Technology Levy Information

• Cost to Taxpayers

• Educational Programs and Operations FAQ's

• Technology Levy FAQ's

• Tax Exemption

• Voter Registration

     On October 26, 2009 the Fife School Board authorized placement of the 2011-2014 Educational Programs and Operations Levy (formerly known as the Maintenance and Operations Levy) on an election ballot for February 9, 2010. This would be a replacement levy for school operations in 2011-2014.  This levy constitutes about 20% of our operating budget and is voted on every four years by the community at large. The board also approved placement of a technology levy for the same period of time. This technology levy is a reinstatement levy and is a six year promise made and kept to the community.  As you may recall, over six years ago we came to the community for our first ever technology levy. We promised that if approved, we would stretch the four-year levy over six years in order to be fiscally responsible. Having done so very successfully, we are asking to reinstate this levy and our intent would be to do the responsible thing once more and to stretch this four-year levy out another six years.

     I hope that this factual information is helpful in providing for you the rationale behind our two proposals that you will see on the February 9, 2010 ballot. Our promise to you, the taxpayer, is that we will continue to find ways to improve our programs while operating in a fiscally responsible manner. If you have questions regarding these levies, or wish to provide us with other feedback, please feel free to call 253-517-1000.

• Lower class sizes
• Special Education services not covered by State
• Professional growth funds for maintaining a highly qualified teaching staff
• Hiring of additional certified and classified personnel
• Student transportations needs not covered by State
• Ongoing facilities maintenance and repairs
• Additional textbooks and other instructional materials
• Athletics and other extracurricular activities such as drama, music, etc.
• Other instructional program support

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• Continual replacement of obsolete and aging computers for students and staff
• Increased student access to computers through devices such as netbooks
• Upgraded teacher presentation equipment to include more interactive technologies
• Strategically maintained and improved network to meet a growing demand for access to media-rich learning resources and online data systems
• Increased efficiency of the tools to manage computers & the network which will allow greater security while increasing flexibility to use technology in new & creative ways
• Improved server efficiency and reduced operating costs through virtualization technologies
• Improved student security on buses through an upgraded on-board video system

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    If approved by the voters for collection in the 2011 calendar year, the Educational Programs & Operations Levy will cost approximately $2.21 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.  This is a replacement of the current levy, not an additional levy. This levy would cost the average taxpayer owning a home valued at $200,000 (which is the median home value in our community) about $36.83 per month and again is a replacement of the existing levy.

    If approved by the voters for collection in calendar years 2011 through 2014, the Technology Levy will cost approximately 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.  This is less than our last voter-approved Technology Levy.  This levy is a reinstatement of the previous Technology Levy approved by our citizens in 2004.  This levy would cost the average taxpayer owning a home valued at $200,000 about $4.67 per month and again this four year levy would be stretched out over six years.

    The following graph shows what our overall rates for both levies combined would look like compared to surrounding districts considering only their base educational programs levy:

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 What additional support does our Ed Programs Levy pay for?

• Lower class sizes
• Special Education services not covered by State
• Professional growth funds for maintaining a highly qualified teaching staff
• Hiring of additional certificated and classified personnel
• Student transportation needs not covered by State
• Ongoing facilities maintenance and repairs
• Additional textbooks and other instructional materials
• Athletics and other extracurricular activities such as drama, music, etc.
• Other instructional program support

 How much will it cost?

• If approved by the voters for collection in the 2011 calendar year, the Educational Programs & Operations Levy will cost approximately $2.21per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.  This is a replacement of the current levy, not an additional levy.

Is this a new tax?

• No. The proposed four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy replaces the current four-year levy, which expires in December 2010. By law, school levies can only be for a maximum of four years and must be approved by a public vote.

How do Fife School District’s estimated levy rates (per $1,000 of assessed value) compare to those of surrounding districts?

Doesn’t the State provide enough funding for schools?

• The State of Washington provides about 65% of the funding needed to operate local schools.  Approximately 14% comes from federal revenues and other sources such as fees, interest earnings, etc.  The remaining 21% comes from voter approved levies.  So, while the funding provided by the State is significant, it does not cover all of the operating costs school districts need.

Are there certain homeowners exempt from paying property tax assessments?

• Yes.  Washington State law provides exemptions for certain senior citizens and disabled persons.

For more information, please see the Pierce County Assessor Treasurer’s website at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/at/at.htm  then click on ‘Exemptions and Deferrals’.

What is a Technology Levy?

• A Technology Levy is a supplement to State and Federal funding sources.  Technology Levies are approved with a simple majority vote by the taxpayers of the District.  The state does not fund technology, even though it requires that schools provide technology education. Over the years, funding for schools from the State has fallen short, and legislators now allow Districts to incorporate Technology needs into Capital Projects Technology Levies.

How much will it cost?

• If approved by the voters for collection in calendar years 2011 through 2014, the Technology Levy will cost approximately 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.  This is less than our last voter-approved Technology Levy.  This levy is a reinstatement of the previous Technology Levy approved by our citizens in 2004. 

Tell me about the previous Technology Levy.

• In 2004, our citizens approved a four-year Technology Levy for collection in 2005 through 2008.  Our promise was to collect this levy over four years and stretch these resources over six years.  This promise was made and kept!

What are the benefits of the previous Technology Levy?

• Aging computers have been replaced and more computers have been added to increase student access to learning tools and resources.
• The network has been improved with fiber optics and upgraded networking equipment. Students and staff are able to work more efficiently and access online resources and other tools on the network.
• Servers and data systems have been upgraded to accommodate the increased demand for storage and processing. Security and backup systems have been improved to keep data safe and available.
• Wireless technology is being implemented throughout our schools. This allows portable access to computers both in and out of the classrooms.
• Presentation equipment, including document cameras and projectors, is now in nearly all classrooms. This allows teachers to create more engaging lessons using technology tools and online resources.
• Productivity and communication software has been purchased and utilized allowing students to learn and create work more effectively and for staff to be more productive.
• Use of a new auto-dialing system has improved communications with parents.

 What will be gained from the new Technology Levy?

• Continual replacement of obsolete and aging computers for students and staff.
• Increased student access to computers through devices such as netbooks.
• Upgraded teacher presentation equipment to include more interactive technologies.
• Strategically maintained and improved network to meet a growing demand for access to media-rich learning resources and online data systems.
• Increased efficiency of the tools to manage computers and the network which will allow greater security while increasing flexibility to use technology in new and creative ways.
• Improved server efficiency and reduce operating costs through virtualization technologies.
• Improved student security on buses through an upgraded on-board video system.

 Are there certain homeowners exempt from paying property tax assessments?

• Yes.  Washington State law provides exemptions for certain senior citizens and disabled persons.

For more information, please see the Pierce County Assessor Treasurer’s website at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/at/at.htm then click on ‘Exemptions and Deferrals'

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