District to seek replacement levy of $4.2 million

The Grand Coulee Dam district will propose a four-year school funding levy to voters on the February ballot, the board indicated at its Oct. 28 meeting.

If approved, the new levy would replace the current one, which expires next year, and bring in nearly $4.2 million for educational programs and operations between 2026-29. The current year’s budget for educational programs and operations is just under $14 million.

Though the final resolution language still needs formal approval by the board in November, members unanimously agreed with the rate of $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value — the recommendation coming from Superintendent Rod Broadnax and Business Manager Susie Marchand.

“I’m hoping that the community will support us,” board President Rich Black said last week. “I think there’s been some improvements in the school district, such that we can say there’s been an improvement in the education system here.”

Broadnax says he intends to not just talk about — but rather show — those improvements at a Levy Town Hall he will schedule, probably in January in the high school cafeteria. Those who attend can expect a presentation from the administration and the consultant, a Q&A period, and a demonstration from this year’s culinary arts students.

“I have asked all our administrators to be here, and as many teachers as possible that could be here, to kind of rally around so the community can see why we need the levy,” Broadnax said.

The current levy rate is $1.88 per thousand, which expires at the end of 2025. Voters approved a proposal for up to $2 per thousand in 2022, but the sharp rise in overall local property values last year meant the board could decrease the rate while still bringing in comparable revenue for school operations. The proposal going to voters assumes a 5% increase in property values each year.

Marchand, Broadnax, and the district’s hired consultant analyzed various rates between $2 and $2.50 per thousand, along with multiple property value growth scenarios, before recommending $2.13.

Educational and operations levies are capped at $2.50 per thousand. Although there is no legally defined minimum, a levy under $1.50 per thousand would mean the district would lose out on Local Effort Assistance funding from the state, according to the consultant.