"I want to express appreciation and personally thank our community on behalf of the White Salmon Valley School District for the passing our 2012 Maintenance and Operations Levy. The passing of this levy will provide the continued resources required for our district to maintain its current level of operation and in providing a quality education for each of our students. We are very grateful for a supportive community and we are committed to continuous improvement in building a school district that you can be proud of and want to be part of. "                                                      --Superintendent Jerry Lewis

 Download the information on this page in the PDF mailer sent to local postal patrons.

District Features a Replacement Levy with

No Increase to the Levy Amount

The White Salmon Valley School District is preparing to ask the voters to approve a two-year No Increase Levy Amount replacement levy on February 14, 2012.  These levy funds will be used to support the basic operating expenses of our schools for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. Levy funds help pay for a portion of the basic and fundamental educational programs and services required to educate all of our students including required staffing, teaching supplies, textbooks, increased utility costs, facility maintenance, and many other services and programs not adequately funded by the state.

At the November 16, 2011 Board meeting, the Board of Directors Paul Mosbrucker, Kris Kreps, Tom Stevenson, Jeff Cooper, and Debby Bergstrom approved the special election replacement maintenance and operation levy for Tuesday, February 14, 2012, in the amount of $2,395,000 each year over the two-year levy term. The district is not asking for any increases in the new levy amount. The school district is very aware of the economic challenges that taxpayers are facing due to the downturn in the economy locally and nationally.

The district has worked very hard to make every dollar we have received from the state and from our local levy go as far as possible. The current 2011-2012 district budget was reduced by approximately $250,000 due to cuts in the State K-12 budget. District staff and the school board participated in a creative and collaborative budgeting process that resulted in the district being able to retain all of its current educational programs and staffing.

Our district facilities are aging, but through the passing of bonds in years past and the outstanding efforts of our district maintenance and grounds personnel, we have buildings and grounds whose conditions have been well-maintained. The next few years ahead will be lean years for school district budgets across the state. District administrators, staff, and the school board are working hard to find ways to make continued academic improvements in a climate of decreasing resources. Our district is grateful for a supporting community.

What is the amount of the replacement levy and what will it cost taxpayers?

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SCHOOL TAX RATES 

The M & O levy funds are the difference between state allocations for school funding and the actual cost of operating our schools. As state support for school operations continues to shrink (now down to 66%), local levy funds are required to pay for essential services and programs. The February 14 levy is not an additional tax but replaces the levy that expires next year.

The last M & O levy that was approved in February of 2010 expires in December of 2012. This levy would replace it, beginning in the spring of 2013.

This proposed M & O levy would help to maintain the current level of teachers and programs within the district.

This proposed M&O levy provides approximately 20% of the operating budget.

The state authorizes districts to levy up to 28% of the district’s levy base. Our School District Board of Directors has chosen to keep the actual levy amount lower, at 21.5% of the levy base.

What is a Maintenance & Operation Levy (M & O Levy)?

Your Levy Dollars Support Learning for all Students

Technology Levy Update

The White Salmon Valley School District will receive its final installment payment during the 2011-2012 school year from the technology levy passed four year ag . The maturity of this levy means an 18 cent per-thousand  savings in  a  total contribution to education 2012, 2013, and 2014. The district is very grateful for the community support we have received in providing the district with the updated technology required for 21^st Century classroom instruction and student learning activities.  

Where are Levy Dollars Spent?

What are the Total School Tax Rates for White Salmon Valley Schools

What will the Levy Cost?

What is the Levy Amount Per Home Value

The proposed replacement levy for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 collections will be $2,395,000, exactly the same amount as the last levy. This amount represents approximately 20% of the school operating budget. The M & O levy will cost property owners approximately $2.43 per $1,000 assessed value for 2013-2014, and $2.43 per $1,000 assessed value for 2014-2015.

Maintenance and Operation Levy Questions & Answers

Q. The February election is a maintenance and operation levy proposal.  What is the difference between a maintenance and operation levy and a bond issue?

A. Maintenance and operation levy funds are used to pay daily expenses of the school district.  Among these operating expenses are salaries and benefits for new and existing professional and support staff, educational supplies and materials, general maintenance and upkeep of facilities, and utility and fuel costs.  Bond issues provide for new construction and/or renovation of existing facilities.  A good way to remember the difference is to recall the saying:

Bonds are for Building,

Levies are for Learning.

Q. What are the voter-approved requirements for the levy?

A.  All levies now need a simple majority of 50% + 1 vote for approval.

Q.  Is there a special tax exemption for senior citizens?

A.  YES.  For information about your status, please contact White Salmon Senior Services (Pioneer Center) at 493-3068 or the office of the Klickitat County Assessor for details at 1-800-764-2245.

Q.  When must I register to vote?

A.  If you have questions about registering to vote please contact the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office at 1-800-583-8050 or the Skamania County Auditor’s Office at 509-427-3730.

Q.  Who do I contact if I have more questions?

A.  You may contact Dr. Jerry Lewis, Superintendent of the White Salmon Valley School District at 509-493-1500.