School Levies go to Voters

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg School District is asking voters to support the renewal of the maintenance and operations levy as well as a capital improvements bond in the upcoming Feb. 9 special election.

Maintenance and Operations Levy

Voters are being asked to approve replacement of the district’s maintenance and operations levy that was passed in 2014 and expires this year. The levy request is $559,000 for 2017 and $570,000 for 2018. This is estimated to be $3.55 per $1,000 of assessed property tax valuation for both years.

The requested amount is approximately two-percent higher than the prior levy amounts. The district attributes the increase to additional healthcare benefits and retirement contributions legislated for district employees, but not provided by the state.

M&O levy funds are used to maintain, update and operate ongoing programs and equipment in the schools. In Waitsburg, levy funds will be used for:

Instructional materials and supplies.

The district’s partnership with WWCC co-operative preschool to ensure all children have access to preschool.

Maintaining technology.

Co-curricular programs and transportation including athletics, school clubs, FFA, and the annual, which are not funded by state or federal funds.

Providing salaries and benefits for teachers and staff, beyond those funded by the state.

Supporting operational costs not fully funded by the state, including food service, utilities, maintenance, supplies, and equipment.

If the levy passes, the Waitsburg School District could be eligible for levy equalization dollars from the state. Those funds would be forfeited if the levy fails. In the past, levy equalization funding, which provides support to smaller districts with limited tax bases, has been about 28% of the approved levies. Future levy equalization support is currently under debate in the legislature.

Capital Improvements Bond

The district is also seeking a 20-year, $4.8 million bond to improve and upgrade school facilities. If the new bond passes with the required supermajority (60%) vote, funds will be used to complete the following projects:

Installation of air conditioning in the elementary school classrooms and multipurpose room, at Preston Hall Middle School, and on the first flood and in the auditorium of the high school.

A comprehensive remodel of the district’s only kitchen, which is located in the elementary school and has not been updated for over 50 years.

Construction of a field house at the athletic complex for student and community use. The field house would provide sanitary restroom facilities and storage for equipment and supplies. A concession stand may be included.

Improvements in lighting and parking and walking surfaces at the high school.

Installation of an all-weather track and improvements to track and field amenities for students and community members.

The proposed bond, which will cost taxpayers approximately $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value, replaces a $1.62 million bond approved in 1999. That bond, which was used to renovate the high school, will retire in 2016, three years ahead of schedule.

The state provided matching funds to cover 64% of the 1999 bond project but the district is not currently eligible to receive matching funds.

If the bond fails to pass, property tax rates will decrease, but the projects will not be completed. If the bond passes, the completed projects would benefit the students and community without increasing the current tax rate.

Ballots were to be mailed to voters this week, and may be mailed in or placed in the drop box by Waitsburg City Hall by the Feb. 9 election date.

Voters are encouraged to contact Dr. Carol Clarke at 337-6301 or any school board member with questions.