Levy would set lower rate

The school district maintenance and operations replacement levy, on which voters will cast ballots Feb. 10, could actually cost taxpayers less than they are now paying.

The Grand Coulee Dam School District is seeking a replacement levy for four years, 2016-2019, asking for $1.13 million each year costing $3.95 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, compared to $4.54 per thousand now being paid with the current levy.

A person with a $100,000 house would pay $395 in school levy taxes in the new levy compared to the $454 they are now paying, a reduction of $59 a year.

The district plans to send out a levy information sheet, coinciding with the arrival of mail-in ballots being sent out to patrons, explaining the levy and how it supports a number of educational programs.

The district’s current four-year levy ends in 2015 and the new four-year replacement levy at the lower rate would begin in 2016.

School officials are quick to point out that this is not an added levy but just replaces one that is running out.

If the levy passes, the district also stands to receive an additional $535,000 from the state.

Volunteers are needed to help get levy information in the hands of voters, Chair Karen Depew of the Citizens for Quality Education levy committee stated.