Supplemental school levy on November ballot

In response to state budget reductions, the Shoreline School District will present a Supplemental Levy proposal to support class size on the November 8, 2011 general election ballot.

The sole purpose of presenting this levy to voters is to keep as many teachers as possible in Shoreline classrooms.

The decision by the School Board to place the supplemental levy on the ballot comes in the wake of state cuts to basic education in Shoreline of approximately $6.2 million annually.

Included in these cuts is:

• $4.3 million in voter-approved I-728 dollars used for class-size reduction, staff professional development and extended learning opportunities for struggling students.
• $1.1 million for state class-size support in grades K-4, funding which has been in place for many years.
• More than $770,000 reduced in other areas, including salary compensation.

The state anticipates further reductions to K-12 funding in 2012.

The impact of these reductions is magnified by the additional loss of federal stimulus funds for special education and academic support for struggling students.

The District may collect only up to the amount approved by voters regardless of changes in assessed value. Current estimates suggest that such a measure would increase rates about $36 a year for a home valued at $400,000. Voters in the neighboring districts of Edmonds, Northshore and Seattle have recently approved similar supplemental levy measures.

For more information about the Supplemental Levy, contact the Public Information Office at 206-393-4412 or visit the District Web site.