Shoreline Public Schools replacement levies on February ballot

Shoreline School District voters will receive a ballot this week for two replacement levies on the February 13, 2018 special election ballot.

The replacement levies, Proposition 1 and Proposition 2, would replace existing Shoreline School District levies that will expire at the end of 2018.

There will be two propositions for Shoreline School District voters to consider:

Proposition 1 is titled, “Replacement of Expiring Levy for Educational Programs and Operations.” If approved, this replacement levy would help fund education programs not fully supported by state and federal funding, including:

• Special education programs, highly capable programs and remedial programs
• Nurses, family advocates, librarians and counselors
• Building maintenance, utilities and transportation
• Extra-curricular student activities, including music, drama and athletics
• Professional development for teachers and other staff

The maximum tax rate for Proposition 1 would be $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value annually. This rate would collect:

• $21,300,000 in 2019
• $23,500,000 in 2020
• $25,602,000 in 2021
• $28,250,000 in 2022

Proposition 2 is titled, “Replacement of Expiring Capital Levy for Technology Improvement and Support.” If approved, this replacement levy would help instructional technology and internet access for students and staff across the district.

These funds help pay for:

• Student and staff computers and technology access
• Software, online subscriptions, resources and classroom curriculum
• Annual maintenance and licensing
• Equipment upgrades and replacement
• Staffing, professional development and training
• Network servers and wireless infrastructure

The estimated tax rates for Proposition 2 would be as follows:

• $0.23 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2019
• $0.21 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2020
• $0.19 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2021
• $0.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2022

These rates would collect $3,250,000 annually.

The replacement levies account for roughly 20 percent of Shoreline School District’s operating budget.

Superintendent Rebecca Miner and other administrators have presented informational levy presentations to nearly local 50 groups since the Shoreline School Board approved resolutions in November to place the replacement levies on the February 13 ballot. There are still a few opportunities to hear a presentation for yourself though.

There are two more community presentations scheduled. One will be held on Thursday, January 25 and another on Tuesday, February 6. Both will be at 7 p.m. and be held at the Shoreline Center Boardroom, 18560 1st Ave. NE.

If you can’t make the last two community presentations, you can watch a video of a presentation on the school district’s levy information webpage, as well as find detailed information about the replacement levies, presentation slides, frequently asked questions and link to submit questions.