Replacement levies for voters to consider in special election Feb. 11

DAYTON–Two levies are up for renewal that benefit the Dayton School District; the EP&O and the Capital levies and will require a public vote. In accordance with Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 29A.04.321(2) for Special County Elections, a county legislative authority may call a special county election by presenting a resolution to the county auditor prior to the proposed election date. This election will be held on the second Tuesday in February, which for this year is February 11, 2020.

The Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy which pays for: smaller classroom staffing, Career & Technical Education, Vocational & Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Athletics, Extra Curricular, Student Health Services, and more. This is a replacement levy and is not a new tax. replaces the former Maintenance & Operation (M&O) levy.

The name change from M&O to EP&O was due to recent changes in Washington State education funding model that pays to maintain educational programs not fully funded by the State. The previous M&O Levy was passed in 2016. The EP&O Levy is a renewal of the M&O Levy for another for years to fund programs through 2024.

The Capital levy has two parts: 1) Electrical and HVAC study that will provide information for future electrical upgrades and ventilation and cooling improvements; 2) Continued funding to improve the use of technology for teaching and learning. Technology funding will be applied toward purchase of laptops, upgrades to computer lab, and for teachers, the document cameras and interactive whiteboards.

It is important to note that the new state funding model now bases local levy collections on actual enrollment at the time of the levy. The proposed tax rates are based on an enrollment of 400 in K-12. The Port estimates that even if both levies are approved, the actual tax rates are expected to decrease in 2021. The following chart shows the proposed levy rates:

Year EP&O Capital Total

Levy Tax Rate

2020 1.31(M&O) .62 1.93

2021 1.37 .33 1.70

2022 1.40 .20 1.60

2023 1.43 .20 1.63

2024 1.46 .20 1.66