HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2011-12-12 Item 2F - Resolution - Support Tukwila School District LevyCit_v of Tukwila
City Council
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM
VIA:
Community Affairs Parks Committee
A.
Kathy Hougardy, Councilmembert
Kimberly Matej
DATE: December 6, 2011
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of School District Levy
REQUEST
The Tukwila Schools Advisory Committee is asking for the City Council's support of the Tukwila
School District Maintenance Operations Levy, to be presented to the voters on the February 14,
2012 ballot via a resolution.
BACKGROUND
The proposed Maintenance and Operations Levy is not a new or additional tax. The Tukwila School
District Board of Directors is asking approval for the continuation of the General Fund Maintenance
and Operations Levy passed by voters in 2008. The current levy expires in 2012. If approved by the
voters, this measure will authorize the school program levy for four more years.
Levy monies are needed to sustain essential programs and services for basic education that are not
state funded. Currently the State of Washington funds approximately 57 percent of the total basic
education budget for the school district; Federal and other sources fund 16 percent. The levy will fund
the remaining 27% of the Tukwila School District's general budget.
The tax revenue generated by the levy will be used to help pay for maintenance and repairs for all
schools. Approval of the levy will also allow the school district to maintain and improve upon the level
of services currently provided. The programs and personnel listed below are examples of items
partially or fully funded by the local levy. These items would be significantly reduced or eliminated if
the levy fails on February 14, 2012:
Teachers to maintain lower class size
Administrators, office professionals and technical support staff
Bus transportation costs for existing routes
School athletics and extra curricular activities
Special education, ELL (English Language Learners) and elementary gifted programs
Middle and high school security services and safety personnel
Arts, music, foreign language and elementary physical education
Textbooks, classroom instructional supplies, computers and software
School nurses, social workers
Classroom instructional assistants
DISCUSSION
The Tukwila Schools Advisory Committee has asked for the City Council's support of the
Maintenance and Operations Levy. This item will be presented to the voters on the February 14,
2012.
The Maintenance and Operations Levy ballot measure is in the best interest of the residents of
Tukwila to improve and maintain quality of education that is necessary to compete in the regional and
global marketplace. The City's economy relies upon the availability of well- educated workers.
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SchoolDistrict Levy ...........................page 2
RECOMMENDATION
The Council is being asked to approve the resolution supporting the Tukwila School District's 2012
Maintenance and Operations Levy, to be presented to voters on February 14, 2012. Due to time
constraints and the desire to move this item through the entire Council process, a request is being
made to forward this item directly to the COW on the same evening following the Community Affairs
Parks committee meeting, should the Committee find it appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Resolution
School Maintenance and Operations Levy Election Information Brochure
OR
DRAFT
A RESOLUTION OF" THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING ITS COLLECTIVE
POSITION SUPPORTING APPROVAL FOR RENEWAL OF
THE TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL PROGRAMS
AND OPERATIONS LEVY.
WHEREAS, Washington's constitution states that there is no higher priority than
the education of all children; and
WHEREAS, adequate, stable funding is critical to the fulfillment of this priority; and
WHEREAS, resources provided through voter approved school levies are
essential to local school districts' ability to provide a well- rounded, quality education to
each student; and
WHEREAS, the School Programs and Operations Levy is a replacement levy that
was passed by voters in 2008 and expires in 2012; and
WHEREAS, this levy money provides for a least one quarter of the Tukwila School
District budget and is used to maintain and operate current school programs; and
WHEREAS, failure of this levy may result in the elimination or significant reduction
of important items such as special education programs, bus transportation, extra-
curricular activities, textbooks, teachers, arts, music and foreign language; and
WHEREAS, this is not a new levy, but renewal of an existing, expiring levy that is
limited by law and is related to the amount of state funding the School District receives_
for basic education; and
WHEREAS, approval for renewal of this four -year levy will allow the district to
budget for four years with the assurance of available local funding needed for vital
operations;
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The Tukwila City Council, by majority vote, hereby expresses support of the
renewal of the Tukwila School District School Programs and Operations Levy set for the
February 14, 2012 Special Election.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 2011.
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Allan Ekberg, Council President
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
Shelley M. Kerslake, City Attorney
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Additional information about school finance, the 2011 -2012
budgeting process, voter registration, and the proposed
replacement levy can be found on the Tukwila School District
Web site: www.tukwila.wednet.edu.
You may also contact the Community Relations office at
206.901.8010 for answers 10 questions, extra copies of this
brochure, or to request a speaker for your next meeting.
Collection Year
Rate /$I ,000
Assessed Value
Levy Amount
2013
2014
2015
2016
$3.46
53.59
53.74
53.85
59.631.2 77
510.11 -.788
$10.618,428
511.149.349
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Levy monies are needed to sustain essential programs and
services for basic education that are not state - funded. The State
of Washington funds approximately 57 percent of basic
education, and federal and other sources fund 18 percent. The
levy will fund 27 percent of the District's general budget.
The proposed levy is not 0 new fax. It approved, it would
replace the existing levy which is scheduled to expire at the
end of 2012.
A homeowner whose property is valued al $255,000 in 2012 will
have levy related property taxes in 2013 of approximately
$882.00.
District Revenues
District Expenditures
Tax Exemptions:
Some senior citizens and disabled persons
may qualify for exemptions from all or part of
this levy.
Details and forms are available from the King
County Department of Assessments:
500 Fourth Avenue, Suite ADM -AS -0708.
Seattle WA 98104
Office Hours:
Mon, Tues. Wed, and Fri
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thurs 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TEL: 206 - 296 -7300
FAX: 206 - 296 -5107
TTY: 206-296-7888
Levy money provides more than 27% of the Tukwila School District's budget, and is used to
maintain and operate current school programs.
The programs and personnel listed below are examples of items partially or fully funded by
the local levy, so they will be eliminated or significantly reduced if the levy fails on February
14th.
Teachers to maintain lower class size
Administrators, office professionals and technical support staff
Bus transportation costs for existing routes
School athletics and extra - curricular activities
✓Special education programs, ELL (English Language Learners), and elementary
gifted programs
it Security services and safety personnel (crossing auards, playground supervisors, etc.)
Arts, music, foreign language and elementary physical education
Textbooks, classroom instructional supplies, computers and software
t School nurses, social workers
✓Classroom instructional assistants