School Levy measures on February 11 ballot

DAYTON–A February 11 Special Election will seek voter approval of two levy measures by the Dayton School District. Vote-by-mail ballots will be posted on January 24 or before.

The Dayton School District is seeking approval of an Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy and a Capital Technology & Facilities Levy, according to Superintendent Doug Johnson. The measures are not new taxes but will replace expiring levies approved by voters in 2016, and projections estimate a decrease in total tax rate, due to state educational funding models enacted by the State Legislature in recent years.

If approved by voters, levy funds will continue to be used to maintain educational programs and facility expenses in Dayton schools not fully funded by the state, Johnson said.

The EP&O Levy dollars support smaller class sizes, athletics and other extra-curricular activities, elective courses for secondary students, career and technical education classes (CTE), instructional staff, school counselors and nurses, and operational costs that exceed state allocations.

Capital Levy technology dollars will be spent maintaining and improving the use of technology for teaching and learning, including the purchase and maintenance of computer labs and laptops used by students, and teaching tools used by teachers, including document cameras, interactive white boards, and teacher workstations.

A one-year collection of Capital dollars will provide funding for an engineering and design study intended to give the district the information needed for updating the Elementary School electrical system. The update is the first step in a process to improve ventilation and cooling for the elementary school.

Dayton's current combined estimated tax rate for 2020 is $1.93 per $1,000 assessed value, which includes both the EP&O and Capital Levy, Johnson said. If voters approve the district's proposed levies on February 11, the total tax rate is estimated to decrease to $1.70 beginning in 2021.

Johnson says levy funds are critical for Washington schools to be able to bridge the gap in funding between what the state funds and the actual cost of running a district.

"While the state continues to develop strategies for supporting basic education, those funds do not provide the funding for many programs and opportunities Dayton families want for their children," he said. "Local tax dollars are used to fill the gap between basic education and the more robust programs available to our students."

For questions or more information, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 509-382-2543.