School Board approves levy/bond proposals for February 9, 2010 special election

The Shoreline School Board has approved three proposals to be placed on the ballot at a special election February 9, 2010.

• A four-year replacement of expiring levy for educational programs, maintenance and operations levy. The levy averages $22 million per year for each of the four years, 2011 through 2014. The maintenance and operations levy, which replaces the four-year levy passed by voters in 2006, would provide the district with about 20 percent of its general operating budget.

• A $150 million bond for the modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The 2006 bond approved by voters included funds for the planning and design for the two high school projects, but not for the actual construction costs.

• A four-year capital levy for technology improvements and support. This levy would support the District’s instructional technology program and services and technology equipment replacement.

If all three proposals are approved, the estimated new combined levy and bond rate in 2011 would be $5.25 per $1,000 of assessed value, and a stable $5.15 in the years following. Current 2010 rates are $5.29 per $1,000, so this represents no change to the average taxpayer.
2010 Levy/Bond Proposals Presentation (pdf)

Proposition 1 – Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs, Maintenance and Operations

The district’s current four-year maintenance and operations levy will expire next year. These are the projected levy amounts beginning in 2011:

Year	Amount	Approximate rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011	$21.5 million	$2.48
2012	$21.75 million	$2.48
2013	$22.2 million	$2.49
2014	$22.65 million	$2.49

These levy dollars will help fund basic education programs, including salaries for teachers and paraeducators; and instructional materials and supplies. Funds will also be used to support extra-curricular student activities and special education, highly capable, remedial and vocational education programs. In addition, funds will be used for maintenance and operations, such as utilities, transportation, student travel, and support staff for program services.

Proposition 2 – Bonds for Replacement/Modernization of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools

Year	Approximate levy rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011	$2.42
2012	$2.43
2013	$2.32
2014	$2.33

For more than two years, the Shoreline School District has been planning for modernization/replacement of Shorecrest and Shorewood High Schools. The School Board adopted educational goals for the projects. The Shorecrest and Shorewood design teams were made up of faculty, staff and parents from each high school and community representatives from each of the middle schools and elementary schools in the respective sides of the District. Each team held three community meetings to gather input from the public, which the architects used to help create the preferred designs for Shorecrest and Shorewood.

Upon passage, the district would be authorized to sell up to $150 million in bonds. The district would make annual payments on the principal and interest to bond purchasers through proceeds from annual property taxes. The timeline for completion of both Shorecrest and Shorewood is summer 2013.

Proposition 3—Capital Levy for Technology Improvements and Support

Year	Levy Amount	Approximate rate per $1,000 of assessed value
2011	$3 million	$0.35
2012	$3 million	$0.34
2013	$3 million	$0.34
2014	$3 million	$0.33

This levy would support the District’s continuing integration of technology into the classroom, including technology specialists, replacement computers, professional development for staff, and software upgrades.

To validate these levy and bond proposals, 40 percent of those voting in the November 2009 general election must vote. The two levies require a simple majority to pass, the bonds require a 60-percent majority for approval.

Copyright © 2007 Shoreline School District

District Profile
The Shoreline School District, serving the communities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, has long been known for its quality schools and community involvement. Literally reaching from shore to shore with Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east the district just north of Seattle serves its 9,700 students with a highly dedicated staff and a mission to help each student reach his or her full potential.