November 13, 2012
Kris Sork,
Communications Director
360-313-1230,
360-823-9765, kris.sork@vansd.org
At the Nov. 13 school board meeting, the Vancouver Public
SchoolsÕ Board of Directors approved two levy measures for the Feb. 12
ballot—a replacement maintenance and operations
(M & O) levy and a technology levy.
Board approval was unanimous.
Replacement maintenance and operations levy
The current maintenance and operations (M & O) levy will expire in 2013. If approved, the M & O levy will continue basic programs and services for three years—2014, 2015 and 2016. A local levy has been in place for Vancouver Public Schools for more than 50 years (since 1964).
Local levy dollars make up approximately 19 percent of the
districtÕs budget. The
M & O levy pays for teacher and support positions; classroom supplies,
textbooks and equipment; instructional technology and software; school safety
and security; maintenance of buildings and grounds; staff training and
professional development; support for programs of choice; extended day/year
learning; education for students with special needs; extracurricular activities
and intramural sports; technology support in schools; substitutes; portable
classrooms; utilities, insurance and fuel; and student transportation.
The district is requesting authorization of $44 million for
collection in 2014, $44.6 million in 2015, and $45.2 million in 2016. Washington State law limits the amounts
local districts can request. A
formula, based on a levy lid of 28 percent of the districtÕs revenue from the
previous year, was used to determine the levy amounts. Projected
M & O levy rates (per $1,000 assessed property value) are $3.85 for 2014,
$3.86 for 2015, and $3.84 for 2016.
For the owner of a $200,000 house, the M & O levy will cost $770 in 2014 (based on a levy rate of $3.85 per $1,000 assessed property value), an increase of $28 over 2013.
Technology levy
Vancouver Public Schools also will have a technology levy on the Feb. 12 ballot. If approved, the technology levy will upgrade computers and provide technology tools for all students in grades K-12 for six years—2014 through 2019.
ÒWe are committed to preparing young people for their future,Ó said Kathy Gillespie, school board president. ÒWe want every student in Vancouver Public Schools to graduate with the 21st century skills that are essential for success in college and the competitive global workforce.Ó
With the technology levy, students in all schools will have access to technology tools. District purchases will include laptops, iPads, iPods, and other tools as designated to be age-appropriate and enhance the districtÕs curriculum and learning goals.
The technology levy will pay for:
¥ Mobile computing solutions for students: Laptop computers, tablets, and handheld devices
¥ Online learning space: Student access to calendars, assignments, and digital resources for learning
¥ Standard classroom equipment: Expansion and upgrade of interactive whiteboards, projectors, document cameras, and amplification systems
¥ Student PC upgrade: Computer labs for state and district assessments, and for student projects
¥ Professional development: Training for teachers to blend and integrate technology into teaching and learning
¥ Infrastructure support: Network systems, hardware and software, and technical assistance
The technology levy supports the districtÕs Design II Strategic Plan, which includes a goal to create Ò21st century flexible learning environmentsÓ with embedded technology to support learning. District advisory committee input and surveys indicate strong community support for expanding the use of new technology in schools and classrooms.
The technology levy amounts are $4 million for each of the six years. The projected levy rates (per $1,000 assessed property value) are 35 cents for 2014, 35 cents for 2015, 34 cents for 2016, 33 cents for 2017, 33 cents for 2018, and 32 cents for 2019.
For the owner of a $200,000 house, the technology levy will cost $70 in 2014 (based on a levy rate of 35 cents per $1,000 assessed property value), which equates to $5.83 per month.
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More information is available on the Vancouver Public
Schools website: www.vansd.org.
Contacts: Communications Office — 360-313-1230
Steve
Olsen, chief fiscal officer — 360-313-1341