KPLU Local News
(2010-10-26)
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School levies will be on the ballot in Seattle, Bainbridge Island and Bellingham schools.
AP photo
(KPLU) -
If you've looked at your ballot, you know there's almost a full page of statewide initiatives in addition to the candidates.
In some areas, there's also something not usually found on a general election ballot a school levy. That's because when the state legislature cut back on funding this year it also gave local districts permission to raise additional levy money.
Sharon Rogers is a volunteer with Schools First. She said the need for the levy was driven home for her when she went to curriculum night at Roosevelt High a few weeks ago. She asked her daughter's chemistry teacher what text book they were using. The answer surprised her.
"I was told they don't actually have a textbook. The teacher showed me what the textbooks are like and he showed me they are so outdated they can't actually use them," Rogers said.
And, she added, even if they were current, she could see that the books are falling apart to the point of being unusable.
Money for new textbooks is in the $48 million dollar supplemental levy. Some of the funds would also be used pay for a new teacher evaluation system and give teachers raises.
Nearly half the money, $25.5 million, would go towards general operations.
Rogers says the Seattle School District wouldn't be asking voters to approve the supplemental levy if the situation wasn't so dire.
"This is purely to help keep our classrooms in business over the next three years," she said.
The levy has attracted opposition. Melissa Westbrook, who's youngest child just graduated from Roosevelt High, is with Committee for Responsible Education Spending.
She acknowledges the message to vote against a school levy can be a tough sell.
"It's like mom and apple pie, vote for the levies," she said.
But, Westbrook says there are reasons to vote "No." She says too much of the money does not go directly into the classroom. And, there's a trust issue.
"The district has not proven itself to be a very worthy caretaker of tax dollars if you look at the most recent state audit," Westbrook said.
That state audit pointed out problems with how the district keeps track of its finances. The school district says it's corrected many of the issues and is working on others. Still, for Westbrook and other opponents, voting against the levy helps send a message to the administration that the public doesn't like the way things are run.
Supporters counter that, no matter what you think of the administration, it is kids who would be hurt in the long run.
If the measure passes, an average Seattle homeowner would pay about $50 dollars a year more in property taxes.
Voters on Bainbridge Island and in Bellingham are also being asked to vote for supplemental levies.
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