GCDSD school levy vote commentary: Jan. 14, 2025

In this second in a series of two articles on the upcoming school district’s levy vote, we will briefly summarize the most important aspects of this crucial levy so that each of us can make an informed decision on continuing levy revenues in support of our local school system. Here are some highpoints that should aide in our understanding of an often complicated subject.

The approval of a continuing levy will help supplement insufficient state revenues provided in the areas of educational programs and operations. It is commonly referred to as an “enrichment” levy since it adds to the inadequate level of dollars forwarded from the state to fund required programs and operations.

In our school district’s case, the new levy is also a replacement levy continuing funding provided by an expiring levy. The previous levy amounted to an estimated $2.00 per $1,000 of local property value when approved. The newly proposed levy is estimated to be $2.13 per $1,000 of property value. That represents a 2.2% per year increase over the course of the previous levy, a figure well below the inflation rate over those three years. In terms of real value, then, the new levy request is effectively lower than the previously approved levy.

The new enrichment levy supplements — to varying degrees — other funding sources to fully support the following school programs: 1) School Safety (a School Safety Officer, for example); 2) Health Administration (a qualified nurse and assistants, and a part-time psychologist); 3) academic support (pre-school program, special education and sufficient staffing to keep class sizes manageable, and a new culinary arts program); 4) technology support; 5) the school lunch program; and 6) extra-curricular and co-curricular activities including athletics, band, clubs and associated student body events.

Failure to approve this replacement levy would result in an estimated $1,700,000 reduction in the School District’s annual budget, having a predictably significant, negative impact on our school system across all programs, school operations and staffing, requiring severe funding cuts to balance the budget.

As a reminder, the new levy will be placed before the community for a vote in a special election on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. Ballots should be in the mail by the last week of January. A special note: there will be a “Levy Town Hall Meeting” on Thursday, Jan. 30 in the “Hub” in the High School administration area starting at 6 p.m. lasting until 7:30 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to attend this meeting and get their questions answered before the time to vote is upon us.

Taxes and levies can be emotional subjects. However, emotions aside, we believe if everyone understands the facts surrounding this levy request and recognizes the adverse impact that losing levy revenue will have on our school system and the school-age kids in our community, then an informed electorate will support and approve this levy request. Please be informed and vote!

The Grand Coulee Dam School District Board of Directors:

Shannon Nicholson, Rich Black, George La Place, Alex Tufts and Buffy Nicholson