Facts on upcoming school levies

The Grand Coulee Dam School District (GCDSD) is seeking voter approval for two separate levies in the upcoming election on February 8, 2022. The intent of my letter is to provide the facts regarding these levies and enable voters to make well-informed voting decisions. The first of these levies is the educational programs and operations levy—commonly referred to as an “enrichment” levy; and the second is the capital levy for safety, technology and facilities improvement, or simply, “capital levy.” Both of these levies have been approved by voters in the past so their renewal represents a continuing taxable obligation for school district financial support. In short, these are replacement levies that, when combined, amount to a taxable obligation of $4.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The first levy, the enrichment levy, supplements to varying degrees other funding sources to fully support the following school programs: extracurricular and co-curricular activities (including Associated Student Body events, athletics and clubs); technology; drivers education; the school lunch program; and academic support (pre-school program, special education, and staff to reduce class sizes). Failure to approve this levy will reduce the budget for these programs by roughly $975,000 per year resulting in sacrifices to these programs.

The capital levy will continue to support physical upgrades to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility, the Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) building and athletics facilities. In the past, this levy has funded high-cost improvements such as: HVAC installation, and asbestos abatement and installation of soundproofing panels (high school gym); full-building electrical upgrades; gym floor resurfacing; and building security upgrades. Approval of the new levy will be used to continue upgrades to the CTE and ALE buildings (reroofing buildings, and improving the electrical and air handling systems); and district-wide athletic facilities upgrades (replacing bleachers and spectator stands, and renovating concessions areas and bathrooms, for example). Failure to approve this levy will significantly limit these improvements.

Taxes and levies are always emotional and sometimes divisive subjects. I would encourage voters to do their own due diligence in making quality decisions on the very important topic of these school levies. And I would encourage every eligible citizen to exercise their right to vote.

Rich Black