Replacement Technology/Capital Levy
Election Day — Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Edmonds School District is holding an election Tuesday, May 20, 2008, to renew its Technology/Capital Levy. Below you will find more detailed information on this measure.

The intent to put this measure on the ballot for renewal was shared extensively with the community when the original measure was put before voters in May 2004. Since that time, information on how the funds from the 2004 levy have been used to support student learning has been shared in Edmonds School District News newsletters to the community, through presentations to community groups and organizations, website postings, and through school-based communications and meetings.

"We continue to manage our assets wisely," said School Board member Gary Noble. "We work very hard to ensure capital and technology improvements contribute directly to student learning and safety. We are committed to make sure these taxpayer-funded improvements are maintained, repaired, and replaced so that students are learning with appropriate technology tools in safe, well-maintained schools."

School Board Vice President Ann McMurray, formerly a longtime district Citizen Planning Committee (CPC) member, is quite familiar with the ongoing efforts of the District to involve its community in identifying needs and priorities.

"There is a need for continued and diligent maintenance of all of our schools and for each classroom in these schools to continue to have the technology tools used in helping to improve student learning," McMurray said.

Superintendent Nick Brossoit added: "This is a supportive community and the passage of this levy in 2004 was an important first step. We now have an opportunity to put each of our classrooms on a replacement cycle to ensure basic operable and up-to-date technology for student learning is equitably available to all students.

"Additionally, this measure allows us to continue the work we do with students and to support a safe learning environment in which it can occur. We encourage people to vote on May 20, 2008."

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE May 20, 2008

PROPOSITION NO. 1
Replacement Technology/Capital Levy

The Board of Directors of Edmonds School District No. 15, serving the communities of Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway, adopted Resolution No. 07-41, concerning a proposition to acquire technology for student learning, and make safety, building, and outdoor facility improvements. This proposition would authorize the District to replace an expiring levy by levying the following excess taxes upon the taxable property within the District for support of the District’s Capital Projects Fund. The replacement levy collection averages $7.85 million per year for each of the four years, 2009 through 2012. Even with the replacement, the rates per thousand are projected to be at 28 cents compared to the current collection rate of 52 cents per thousand which expires at the end of 2008.

What the Replacement Levy Funds...

Questions? Call Cynthia Nelson, Technology, 425-431-7337 or Edward Peters, Capital Projects, 425-431-7170

Overall Tax Impact if the Replacement Levy is approved

Please click on the image for a larger chart.

Questions? Call Marla Miller, Business and Operations, 425-431-7036

Academic Growth and Success Continue

Tech Tools for Student Learning: One classroom's story
The sixth-graders in Marylee Penhollow's class at Oak Heights Elementary are bringing characters to life as part of learning the writing process. They do this by using examples from authors, diagrams to organize their thoughts, and the Student Tech Tools like the mobile lab of laptops in the photo above. As the last step of the process, students use software on the laptop to "publish" their work, giving students the opportunity to have a polished final product. The mobile labs were purchased with funding from the 2004 Technology/Capital Levy. Renewal of the Technology/Capital Levy in 2008 would pay for additional mobile labs in each school to further enhance student learning opportunities, as well as replace technology as it becomes outdated.

Student Learning Across the District
Technology is only one of the necessary tools used to prepare students for further education and work opportunities in the 21st century. In the Edmonds School District, we use technology as well as our recent textbook and material adoptions as a means of providing students with additional ways to gain the skills and knowledge in each academic area. Providing our staff with professional development opportunities is vital. Our teachers need time during the school year to assess the best ways to support student learning and further develop their own skills and ways to deliver instruction that best meets the needs of students. Another tool is assessing student learning through such measures as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Results from Spring 2007 show the percent of our district students meeting or exceeding the state average occurred in 38 out of 40 different grade and subject categories.

Questions? Call Tony Byrd, Teaching and Learning, 425-431-7050

Questions & Answers

About the Replacement Technology/Capital Levy
Proposition No. 1:

What does renewal of the Technology/Capital Levy provide for students and schools?
The Technology/Capital Levy provides funding for technology tools for student learning and capital facilities. The majority of the funds to be collected over four years will be used to replace older equipment. Additionally, these funds allow the District to provide local support in technology for: technology-related professional development and support; infrastructure upgrades to meet electrical needs; and aging office staff computers. In Capital Facilities, these funds will allow the District to provide local support for: districtwide safety and emergency preparedness; districtwide energy efficiency improvements; system upgrades and asset protection; and outdoor facilities/partnerships. This levy will replace the current levy which ends in 2008. This is not an additional or new tax levy.

Why do communities have local technology and capital levies?
People want their local schools to provide the tools needed to improve student learning and provide students with well-maintained, safe learning environments. The state does not provide adequate funding for technology or capital facilities, and the law allows local school districts to seek local funding support in these areas through levies.

How much will renewal of the levy cost me?
Renewal of the four-year Technology/Capital Levy will cost 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value from 2009-2012. For each $100,000 of assessed value, the cost is $28, or for a home assessed at $400,000 the cost is $112. The expiring 2004 levy, for a home assessed at $400,000 cost $208. Thus, the replacement levy if approved will be less than the levy which expires in 2008.

Why is the 2008 levy being renewed at a lesser amount per $1,000 of assessed valuation than in 2004?
The Edmonds School District Board of Directors voted to place the levy for renewal at a rate of 28 cents per thousand of assessed property value — a decrease from the 52 cents per thousand of the current levy, which expires in 2008. This effectively lowers the cost to taxpayers and provides necessary technology tools and support to maintain and build upon the work started in 2004.

How can my overall school taxes decline?
Your tax rate will decline beginning in 2009 and is projected to continue to go down, as illustrated in the Overall Tax Impact bar graph on this page. The amount we are seeking to renew the Technology/Capital Levy is 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value compared to 52 cents per $1,000 assessed property value of the levy expiring in 2008. Additionally, new homes and businesses are increasing the total assessed property value within the district. This reduces the tax rate per $1,000 for the majority of property taxpayers.

Is the Capital Partnership Program again being offered as part of the levy renewal?
Yes. In 2004, the levy included $1 million in matching funds. Schools and community groups and organizations throughout the last four years have submitted applications to receive these matching funds, resulting in the completion of many projects, including outdoor playground equipment and field work. $1 million is again slated to be available for matching funds and another $500,000 of "seed" money is designated for improvements to the former Woodway High School fields project being pursued cooperatively and jointly with several community organizations and the District.

How can I get more information or have someone speak to my group or organization about the levy?
If you or your organization would like a person to come to your meeting to make a presentation, please call Eileen Mitchell at 425-431-7047. Please visit this website for updates or call Debbie Jakala in Community Relations at 425-431-7044 with any other questions.